HARLEM – Attic Treasures, a thrift store and charity, hosted a special event Saturday commemorating having raised and contributed more than $1 million to those in Harlem and the surrounding communities.
“From day one we have had the store fill up,” said Loreen Reynolds, president of the volunteer-run non-profit. “Because of all the donations, we got and all the help we’ve got, and then the people in need, we’ve been able to give the money away. So yeah, it’s been crazy.”
That was back when Attic Treasures launched in 2008 when five volunteers, including Reynolds, took over a thrift shop in town that was about to close. The store remained open, accepting donations and giving away funds and household items, until it outgrew its previous location.
“We weren’t making enough money to even cover the rent here, but we stepped out in faith and said we’ve got to try it,” said Reynolds. “So we came down here, and from the very first time, we started we have not had a problem with paying anything or giving money away.”
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The list of Attic Treasures beneficiaries over the years is vast and varied, ranging from paying for rent, utilities or hotel stays to individuals in need; to $10,000 scholarships for high school graduates; to supporting food banks and other nonprofits like the Lydia Project (now called Cancer Support Services).
In March, the volunteer staff discovered that by the point to total Attic Treasures’ monetary contributions to various local causes, organizations and individuals has reached $1 million.
“When we started out, we were giving $50 to this person, $50 to that organization,” said Reynolds.
To honor the occasion, the staff organized Customer Appreciation Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., offering free food and drinks from vendors (who have also been beneficiaries of Attic Treasures), store specials and door prizes. It’s not uncommon for crowds to gather open the shop is open, but even the heat wasn’t enough to keep families from stopping by more than usual.
“I think we’ve probably had about 500 people come in today so far,” said volunteer Stephaney Crenshaw. “We expected a little bit more, but that’s a lot. Usually, on a busy day we have about 200 customers.”
Reynolds remembers when reaching $250,000 was cause for celebration, and notes that donations sharply increased over the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, with donations averaging about $500 a month.
“We weren’t giving as much away as we have after COVID,” she said. “A lot more donations, a lot more volunteers and we have and a lot more money with giving back to the community. So yeah, it was pretty exciting to reach that million dollar mark.”
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Attic Treasures is located at 575 W. Milledgeville Rd. in Harlem. For more information, visit its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Attictreasuresofharlem/.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering education in Columbia County and business-related topics for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
