by Carrie Moritz, Gazette
After eleven years, the leadership at The Treasure Chest in Garretson has changed. Last Saturday was the final day of Connie Johnson's leadership. On Thursday, she had handed the baton to Kimberly Konda, a veteran volunteer.
The Treasure Chest opened February 13, 2013, with the goal of providing a variety-type store that included donated, thrifted items and new goods, and as a mission to give back and help others in need. Now, exactly ten years later, the successful business is continuing on under new leadership.
Johnson said the idea to let the store change hands came to her rather suddenly in December.
"It wasn't really even on my mind, but one night I was praying and I felt the release," Johnson said. She knew it was time to retire, and Konda's was the name that was on her mind.
She pointed out that the signs must've been there beforehand, though, as she remembered that she had said something along the lines of, "When it's your store you can do with it what you like," to Konda last fall.
Konda, for her part, is excited to take on the mission of the store. She began volunteering two years ago after a "God moment" in the store.
"It was through that conversation, telling Connie about it and she didn't seem surprised," said Konda. "It happens all the time. Then she was like, 'I just really need some volunteers.' I didn't even hesitate; it just came out [to] put my name down."
Konda has lived just north of Garretson for over twenty years, on an acreage with her husband, Loren, and their four children. Two of those children are now grown, and the other two are 12 and 16.
Konda is a genuine, calm person who likes animals and gardening, and has gone on waterfall tours across Minnesota. She likes how the store has been set up, and intends to keep much of it the same. To her, the volunteers are the foundation upon which the store is built, and they have it down to a science.
"The girls in the back are amazing," she said. "They could do that all without anybody telling them what to do. They know where things need to go."
Many of those volunteers have been with the store since the beginning. Konda pointed out how much all of the helpers do for the mission, whether it's sorting, set-up, cleaning, running the till, or knowing the right people. While she believes they deserve more recognition for the work they do, the helpers often want to stay anonymous, or don't want the spotlight.
"They're the unsung heroes," Konda said. "They have different life events going on that anyone else probably would stay at home and lick their wounds, but they're in here... and doing what they do."
That doesn't mean they aren't always on the lookout for more folks who could help out, whether it's just for a few minutes or a few hours. Many people have a perfect skill they could put to use, or have contacts in just the right place to get items to others in need. It just takes going into the store and talking with someone, or calling the local number at (605) 594-2000.
The volunteer mindset is part of what has made the store as successful as it is. Since its official opening in 2013, donating to individuals or groups locally and around the state has always been a large part of The Treasure Chest's mission. While the storefront helps to attract visitors from all over the United States and improves the local economy, in the background, it uses many of the donated items and goods to ensure people have what they need.
Konda told a story of a local person who came in and asked if the store could help outfit a new elderly resident, who had moved to town and were without items like dishes and silverware. The volunteers were more than happy to get those items to that new resident.
Some donated goods, such as coats and gloves, are given out locally when the need is found, or go to the Union Gospel Mission and to the tribal reservations. Others, such as toys without batteries, have even gone international as folks going on trips overseas have taken those to give to children. The rest of the donated goods stay in the store for sale, contributing to its unique atmosphere and attracting visitors who are on the lookout for a great experience. The proceeds from the sales go back into the mission.
One area she does hope to expand on within the store is to bring in more local goods. They have wine from Tucker's Walk and Humble Hill, popcorn that is made in South Dakota, honey that is cultivated just outside of town, and Garretson spirit wear, and Konda's on the lookout for more locally-made, unique items.
She's also looking into the potential of expanding hours during the summer, to help serve those visitors who might be in town or be attracted to Garretson during the week.
Other changes, though, will be minimal.
"It's going to transition pretty seamlessly," Konda said. "I have the same vision as Connie. We need to help people; we need to do what's necessary to promote tourism and try and get people to come into the store. What they're supporting us with is also helping our community."
The Treasure Chest is open Thursdays through Saturdays, and can be found on Facebook ā https://www.facebook.com/TheTreasureChestinGarretson.
*UPDATE 2/28/24: The printed version had an incorrect number of years in the headline and within the article for The Treasure Chest. That has been updated in the on-line version.
