On a Budget? Try the Treasure Cove

On a tight budget and looking for something unique to buy for the holidays?

The Treasure Cove consignment shop located at 3 Turkey Hills Road in East Granby may be the perfect stop on your last minute holiday needs.

Madeleine Poulin McCauley, the store manager and innovative mind that orchestrated the conversion from a children’s consignment shop into a full consignment store, said the store carries a wide variety of previously owned and new items at reasonable prices.

It's a venture into a different side of sales for McCauley, who previously owned Mojo’s Diner in Granby before shifting to consignment sales and assisting in redesigning and reopening the Children's Palace under the name Treasure Cove in September.

The store boasts a variety of previously owned furniture and home decor items including chairs, lamps, book shelves and clocks, McCauley said, but also features jewelry and other gifts that area residents chose to trade in and offer to those who would find better use for them. 

McCauley has also reorganized the store to include sub-departments such as "housewares" and the popular new line of "things for your man cave." Customers can also purchase personalized gift baskets, although if you are looking for one for Christmas you better act fast - the store started with 60 and had just 12 remaining by Thursday.

Unlike most consignment shops, however, you will not find clothes or books. It's the unique items that draw intrigue from potential buyers.

Prices in the store range from $1 to $500, McCauley said. The prices are determined by McCauley and the consignor. A lot of the store’s charm lies in the rapid turnover in stock; you never know what you’ll find from one visit to the next.

“I did that intentionally,” McCauley said. “Whoever you are - if you are a kid, a woman, a teacher or an artist - there is something for everyone.”

“Most of the people who bring in their stuff don’t want it any more, so the prices are really good. If you come in today, then come in next week, it could be different furniture, it could be different art, it could be different jewelry."

McCauley said it took a few months for the store to take off, but with the holiday season, business has been booming. The store now takes consignments of all kinds from the public, with proceeds split 50/50 between the store and the consignor.

Granby resident Angela Smith said that she did all of her Christmas shopping at Treasure Cove because of the variety of items as well as the reasonable prices.

“They have a lot of neat things and I found everything for people I shop for,” said Smith, who brought her grandmother a mug and a piece of coral, her mother a tin with cows adorning the side and her sister a miniature antique rocking horse. “I spent maybe $50 on my Christmas shopping in total and I got everything I needed.”

The store's hours are normally Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The store will be closed on Saturday, Christmas Eve, however, so today is the last shopping day to hit the store.