Hidden Treasures a community, not just a resale store
Located within a strip mall in Round Lake Beach, Hidden Treasures opened to provide a learning opportunity to students in the Allendale Association and provide good bargains to shoppers.
But the resale store has grown to be much more, giving to organizations and struggling families who need basic items such as clothes and children's items.
"It is good public representation of our agency, but for me personally, I derive a lot of satisfaction," said Tina Chiero, who manages the store.
Opened over 100 years ago in Lake Villa, Allendale Association is a residential and day treatment program for children and teens with severe emotional and behavioral problems. Hidden Treasures is among community sites that offer vocational education to students.
"We try to provide a learning and earning opportunity for every one of our clients irrespective of their abilities," Chiero said.
Chiero said besides learning the basics of how to operate a cash register and keep up the store, the students learn how to be socially appropriate with fellow staff and customers.
"The students most like relationships they have established with customers," Chiero said. "We have faithful customers each week who know students and call them by name."
Hidden Treasures first opened 6½ years ago on Cedar Avenue in Lake Villa and moved to 2177 N. Route 83 in Round Lake Beach four years ago when the first location caught fire.
Hidden Treasures never intended to be profit-oriented, but business is booming. Last year they made the first profit, and this year, the store is miles ahead of last year, she said.
The store's attitude is one of giving, and Chiero said that is why they keep receiving. Anytime they are open, people will come to donate items.
"We are well established within the community, and we have repeat offenders who come each week to donate and to shop," she said.
When Chiero began managing the store, they were dumping everything they could not sell. Now, the donate usable things. Some agencies receive donations every week and others occasionally.
PADS receives items saved for them every week, including includes underclothes, tote bags, suitcases, backpacks and warm items such as blankets, sweatshirts, coats and boots and personal care items. While they cannot sell baby equipment, they donate items to agencies such as Teen Mother Choices. Other groups include Open Arms Mission, Love Inc. and Wauconda Township.
They also hear about families who need help. Residents who shop in the store told them about a family whose house burned down. Chiero invited the family to come and pick up what they needed. They not only can pick out clothes, but kids can pick out toys.
"When you've lost everything, having your needs met is great. But to have some of your wants met makes you feel special," she said. "It means the world will come back right again."
Chiero saw a man look for clothes in the Dumpster behind the store. She told him to come inside the store and grab coats, hats, boots and gloves for free.
"The man was stunned. He had tears in his eyes," she said.
For more information or to donate to Hidden Treasures, call (847) 543-8731. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.