A new store has opened up on 13508 Discovery Drive in the place of Smokin’ Barrel BBQ – a charming thrift shop that goes by the name Finders Keepers.
Opened to the public on Oct. 22, Finders Keepers was established by Millard South alumni Phillip Dechant, Lisa Yancey (prev. Dechant), and Amy Dechant (prev. Sullivan).
“It started when I landed a couple jobs cleaning out abandoned properties,” explains owner Phillip Dechant. “It didn’t feel right taking all of the belongings to a landfill. Originally, I was just going to have a garage sale to sell all of the stuff, but my garage was way too small for the amount that I accumulated. The amount of stuff just kept growing with every job that I landed. I realized that opening a thrift store seemed like the perfect way to sell everything.”
While opening a new store can provide lots of new opportunities, it can have its drawbacks.
“The hardest part has been finding a balance between all three of us,” co-owner Lisa Yancey said.
“We have different strengths and experiences and it’s been a challenge to combine them. We also all have a ton of ideas, and it can be difficult to decide which ones to prioritize. Thankfully, our differences also make us able to problem solve better because we have more heads in the game.”
Despite the challenges these three have overcome, the excited faces of the customers when they walk in act as a reward.
“My favorite part about Finders Keepers is meeting the customers and seeing their excitement when they find a treasure,” added third owner Amy Dechant, “whether it is a group picking out clothes for each other or someone who finds a vintage item that brings back memories for them. I love that this store helps the community find quality items at a discounted price.”
Store hours are from Wednesday through Sunday, with Wednesday through Saturday being open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday being open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you want to explore a thrift shop with an authentic attitude and antique charm, then Finders Keepers is the store for you.
