The Treasure Trunk Community Thrift Store has been a local donation center and source for thrifted finds in Wheat Ridge for four decades. But as of Oct. 16, it will be a source of cheap paintings, books and used kitchenware no more.

“When we started Treasure Trunk 40 years ago, it was intended to be a profit center, to make profit to support our other programs,” Katherine Lawson, chief development officer at Family Tree, said.

Family Tree, which owns the store, is a non-profit services provider working against child abuse, domestic violence and homelessness.

According to Lawson, the Treasure Trunk had stopped being profitable, and instead was taking funding away from other programs to survive. 

“We just had to make the decision that we can still meet client needs and not carry Treasure Trunk forward,” she said.

The idea of it being a thrift store was because it also handled all donations to Family Tree, Lawson elaborated. Donations of used items would support the store, and new items would go on to support clients that Family Tree was helping.

Now that the store is closing, Lawson said the organization is encouraging people to donate used items to places like the Action Center and other local thrift stores. Family Tree is still accepting new items and has an active needs list on its website.

“We’re really grateful to the community for supporting Treasure Trunk with their donations and by shopping…it’s all about supporting our clients who are on a journey to safety, stability and healing,” Lawson said.

The last day the Treasure Trunk is open is Oct. 15.