Carol's celebrates anniversary in unique way
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, March 4, 2015
By Sheila Runions
Banner Staff
In late 1996 Brandon’s Carol Hassard quit the banking industry and bought the former Skinner’s Shop on Main, and previously Rivers Gazette-Reporter office. Following renovations she opened Carol’s Time Again Treasures in February 1997. Four years ago she began closing for approximately six weeks after Christmas; this year, she closed for two months. But she didn’t take an extended holiday, she was packing and preparing to move into a new building.
As most people age, they must downsize to a smaller home/yard and as Carol’s Time Again Treasures has aged, it too, needed to downsize. Carol still wanted to work, but in a smaller space and perhaps a better location. Now in the Gill’s Plumbing & Heating shop on Hwy. 25, she is hoping the daily traffic will encourage more shoppers who may not have had reason to travel on Main Street when previously passing through Rivers.
“I still wanted to have a business but I needed a change. The opportunity came to rent the space at 241 First Avenue, so the process of packing, sorting and moving began.”
The office, which was last used in 2012 as La Belle Boutique, received a fresh coat of paint before Carol began moving in her cash counter and display cabinets from the old location.
“My product will be a bit different in that I want to get back to my original plan of having more antique sand collectibles — I will not be consigning. I will still carry Rivers souvenirs, T-shirts and Rocky Mountain soap products, plus new items for gift giving or home decorating.”
Unlike the old shop, which was much larger and had room for items marked “Display only, not for sale,” everything in the new space can be purchased. Originally promoted as a new, nearly new and collectible store, the sign now claims Carol’s as antiques, curiosities and more. An open sign will hang from a chair silhouette to announce when she is there. She’s open Tuesday-Saturday at 10 a.m. but closes between 4-4:45 p.m.
The first day of business in her new shop was Tuesday, March 3, close to the date of her 18th anniversary. The old location has been sold to Kim Klassen, who is currently renovating to convert the former business building into a private studio.
