by Owen & Lois Wiese
The History of 624 Main Ave, Garretson
The Treasure Chest store, and its predecessors, have a long history considering the many years that they been located in the same place on Main Street in Garretson. The first store was a hardware store which was built in 1903. It remained as a hardware for many years with several owners, including Hove & Munson, Munson and H. Steinmetz, Steinmetz and Smith, and Mike Mathison.
In 1945 it was owned by Mike Mathison. In 1955 V.J. Engebretson bought the stock of the store and remodeled the interior. He held a Grand Opening to open his store and operated it until the Main Street fire in Garretson burned it down March 24, 1971. The store was rebuilt and reopened in the fall of 1971 as a brick fronted store and remains as such.
When V.J. owned the store Virginia Hillstead worked as the manager and clerk. Virginia would work for the Engebretson family for 28 years. Also working in the store for many years was Babe Edmundson. V. J. Engebretson retired in 1980 and sold the stock and store to his son Eugene (Gene) and his wife Ann.
V. J. had golf to play, and he had a game shortener that he liked to use. When he got two or three feet from the pin, V.J. would say it was a “gimme”.
In the years that he held the store Gene also provided plumbing and electrical service for the community. In 2007 or 2008 Gene decided to retire. He sold the store to David Willems.
David operated the store for about a year or two, before closing the business. That was when the people lamented the closing of the hardware store. They would have to drive to Brandon to buy hardware supplies.
The hardware store building remained empty for a period of time, after which the The Treasure Chest opened at 624 Main Ave.
THE TREASURE CHEST
Lois and I arranged with Connie Johnson to have a tour, or look, if you prefer, of the Treasure Chest in Garretson. We were pleased with what we saw and what we learned. The Treasure Chest is a very important asset for Garretson, and the many people who visit it.
Connie’s story of the beginnings of The Treasure Chest is of her journey to purchase the hardware building at 624 Main Avenue along with her husband, Terry. Terry was interested in a portion of the vacant building for his real estate office. At the time he had an office with other realtors in Brandon. During their deliberation on whether to purchase, the Brandon office building was being sold. Connie received the word “monopoly” through her meditations.
Definition, monopoly: “exclusive control or possession of something”.
Connie’s prayer had been, “God, help me find a place to store furniture and other items to give to other people in need." Terry & Connie looked at the building. The only item unattached to the building was a billboard sign reading “monopoly”. That message again! What did it mean? To her, it was a message to purchase the building for God’s plan.
When the building became available in 2012, it was still owned by Gene Engebretson. He preferred not to sell the building on contract for deed, but did agree on those terms.
First though, it was necessary to decide what the space would be used for. There were several ideas put forth, such as making the whole building into a vendor building, with Vendors renting booths from which they would sell their products. They would not handle clothing. The vendors' booths were not satisfactory to administer. There were a couple of other ideas also considered. Connie, Terry, and Kris Frerk decided to take it on themselves, with donated items for sale, proceeds to provide help within the community.
After spending the fall months cleaning & painting, The Treasure Chest opened in February, 2013. Among the first items donated was a game of Monopoly. Again, this signal. Connie has had many Monopoly games donated. None are for sale. All are displayed on the walls and shelves of the store as a message that God has a monopoly. Four families contacted Connie wanting to donate clothing from deceased loved ones. That was a signal to accept clothing and clothing has become an important commodity.
We received an orientation from Connie that was enlightening. There are many things with The Treasure Chest that reveal this is God’s place. For example, the address 624, upon research of the Bible states, from Isaiah 62:4; “You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My Delight”. The number 624 in Hebrew translates: “Warehouse- a place to go for supplies”. God's connection with the Treasure Chest is a very large, if not the whole reason for the success of this treasure. I admit that Lois and I felt that Divine influence is a part of the success.
What a wonderful place it is! A person could spend hours of time looking at all the things there are to see and not see it all. There is an old saying that says, “if you don’t see it, you don’t need it”. That is The Treasure Chest.
A very unusual fact is that everyone who works at The Treasure Chest is a volunteer, including Connie and Terry. There are no paid employees, and 10 regular volunteers. Each one can do any jobs needed, but some are in places they like. Rachel Danielson and Judy Hanson can be found at the back of the store sorting items that have come in the back door, sorting, pricing and putting them in the proper places. As some of the clothing comes in, it is not always in good condition. Judy and Rachel sometimes patch a tear or replace a button.
There are several very nice furniture items on the floor now. Often people purchase new items for their homes and donate the surplus. Buyers see a vintage item in a new light or as a missing item in their home. There are small kitchen appliances, kitchen tools, glass items, lots of items for giving as gifts. There are several racks of clothing of all sizes and styles. Connie said she sold a wedding dress recently. The Treasure Chest also carries several new products for children, teens, and adults.
Sometimes people come in the store who need coats, shoes or other items, but don’t have money. They are given what is needed at no cost. Some items not viable for the Treasure Chest are donated to charity organizations in Sioux Falls.
Connie buys a selection of food items and beverages that people who come in the store can buy and consume while they look through the merchandise. She is going to concentrate soon on buying S.D. products to be sold.
Occasionally items come in to the store which are not recognized. Recently someone brought some horse bits. They were sold to be used as decorations.
There are lots of pictures, small tables, and other furnishings. The store retains enough money from sales so that they can pay for utilities. This year they had to buy a new furnace.
In the front of the store near the cash register is a table with chairs for people to enjoy while they drink coffee and eat goodies often brought in by the volunteers. Many big problems of the world get solved there.
The Treasure Chest is visited by many people who are not local and come back year after year. Many campers from the park visit when they are camping.
The Treasure Chest is a great place! A Garretson asset!
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