Thrift store supporting local organizations seeks new location

CORRALES, N.M. — Like many of us struggling to afford things, a beloved local thrift store is on the brink of giving up and now has to find a new location due to the lease – and the rent – being up.

Secondhand Treasures in Corrales is unique as sales benefit local causes, including the Southwest Animal Rescue and several other local organizations. They’ve been a community staple for over a decade but that may be coming to an end with their lease being up.

“It’s all funded by our store, so it’s like it’s such a big thing that, if we close, then we’re not gonna be able to do so much like what we’re doing now,” said Gabby Ruth, who has worked at the store for five years. Ruth added they have to leave their current location and she’s had to find another place to work.

“This is our department store, this is better than, you know, any of the big-name stores and it stays open while the others have had to close during the pandemic,” said Rebecca Hemphill, a longtime shopper.

The organization says they offered to buy the property with an offer of $350,000 in cash but they didn’t come close to what the owner is asking and they don’t expect to afford a rental increase with a new owner.

“It’s just an amazing store and I would be really sad if we had to close,” Ruth said.

The store has a month to figure out whether they’re going to leave and where they’re going to be relocated. For now, they say they’re just hoping to get as many customers in as they can.