Resale shop gears up for back-to-school shopping

Hidden Treasures, Domestic Violence Prevention’s downtown resale shop is gearing up for the weekend as parents begin back-to-school shopping for the kiddos.

As the new school year draws near, look for Hidden Treasures thrift store at 203 Hiram Street to have more new-to-you clothing and accessories placed on the racks. The store is located next door to Domestic Violence Prevention’s downtown Atlanta office.

Some locals may be unaware that Hidden Treasures is a store where anyone and everyone is welcome to browse and buy, according to Tori James, who manages the thrift store. James, who encouraged shoppers to drop by the newly revamped store in the upcomming days, said she would be placing new items out for sale on Thursday.

“Everyone can come by and shop at our store,” James said. “The money received from the resale shop goes back into the organization to help clients in other ways.”

Setting up a new household for a victim of domestic violence to start anew costs about $1,500 without housing assistance, according to DVP’s local website, dvptxk.org.

The charity provides free services and resources to clients--even group counseling sessions for an abusive partner--therefore local donations are important.

“Basically Hidden Treasures take anything as far as clothing donations,” James said. “We are really needing men’s clothing. Especially jeans or work jeans.”

James said there seems to be a huge need for average sized work jeans. They also take books, DVDs, anything still of good use that someone might purchase.

“The only things we aren’t allowed to take as a donation are food, mattresses and no pets,” James said.

Hidden Treasures is open Tuesday-Friday, from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m; and Monday from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m.

Unfortunately, sometimes people drop things off at their door over the weekend or during the night and the clothing gets rummaged through.

“Two donations left outside our door over the weekend got rummaged through,” James said.

Toiletries have been some of the top selling items for the store lately, including shampoo, soap, makeup, perfume, washrags and towels.

“If you buy some beauty product and don’t like it, don’t throw it away,” James said. “Donate.”

Volunteeer Coordinator, Trinity Gardner said those that want to volunteer for DVP, Inc. should go to their website to print out an applciation to fill out and bring into one of their offices.

In 2016, 146 women were killed as a result of domestic violence in Texas, according to data from the Texas Council on Family Violence

Anyone who wants to donate clothes, household goods, books, videos, or anything else can call Hidden Treasures, at (903)- 799-7996 or DVP’s Atlanta Office (903)796-8847.