MarionMade!: reMARCAbly Reclaimed turns trash into treasure while changing lives

Special to the Marion Star
·3 min read

Each week, this series shares MarionMade! stories of our many wonderful people, places, products and programs in the greater Marion community. To read more positive stories of Marion, or to share some of your own, visit us at marionmade.org or on social media.

Randy Boldman, Bobby Wanamaker and Nick Freshwater pose in front of a shelf they made. reMARCAbly Reclaimed has been making furniture for five months. They take donations of solid wood pieces and turn them into end tables, wine racks, and other furniture that is sold at the reMARCAble store.
Randy Boldman, Bobby Wanamaker and Nick Freshwater pose in front of a shelf they made. reMARCAbly Reclaimed has been making furniture for five months. They take donations of solid wood pieces and turn them into end tables, wine racks, and other furniture that is sold at the reMARCAble store.

Randy Boldman of Caledonia and his colleagues turn trash into treasure — sometimes literally.

“We find furniture on the side of the road. We sometimes follow the trash man around to save pieces. We are regulars at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. We also use old wooden skids,” said Boldman.

Boldman and several others paint, saw, and refinish to make shelves, wine racks, cabinets, desks and other items in a woodworking business called reMARCAbly Reclaimed. Boldman works for MARCA Industries and his coworkers are all clients. MARCA serves local people with developmental disabilities.

“This has been a dream of mine for years. I’m excited MARCA gave me the support to do this,” Boldman said.

Boldman will pick up solid wood furniture donated from local residents. They will also deliver furniture locally. The items have flown off the shelves at the reMARCAble store at 122 S. Main St. in Marion.

The reMARCAble store offers a variety of products including artwork, jewelry, candy, candles, home décor, housewares, and clothing.
The reMARCAble store offers a variety of products including artwork, jewelry, candy, candles, home décor, housewares, and clothing.

“It’s been very successful. It goes so fast, we have sold pieces and asked if we could keep it and display it for a while,” said Kelsey Williams, store manager.

All of the proceeds benefit Randy, Nick Freshwater and Bobby Wanamaker who make up the reMARCAbly Reclaimed team. Boldman taught Freshwater and Wanamaker to sand, stain, paint and saw to make their ideas come to life.

“I enjoy hanging out with the other workers. They’re my friends. I like learning new skills,” Freshwater said.

“There are always new items. You will see something new every time you come in,” said Williams.

Shoppers at the re-MARCA-ble store can also find artwork, jewelry, clothing, home décor, homemade chocolates, crocheted baby blankets, handmade quilts, charcuterie boards, tumblers, hair bows and dog bandanas.

“Everything in here is made by Ohio business owners,” Freshwater said.

“We try to have a little bit of everything,” Williams said. “If you need a gift and have no idea what to get, this is the perfect spot to shop. We try to keep it as local as possible.”

Many of the items are displayed on shelves built by Boldman and his team.

(Left to right) Kelsey Williams, Bobby Wanamaker, McKayla Bigler, Nick Freshwater, and Cora Layne all work at the reMARCAble store at 122 S. Main St. in Marion. It offers a variety of items from small Ohio business owners, many of whom are local.
(Left to right) Kelsey Williams, Bobby Wanamaker, McKayla Bigler, Nick Freshwater, and Cora Layne all work at the reMARCAble store at 122 S. Main St. in Marion. It offers a variety of items from small Ohio business owners, many of whom are local.

Cora Layne of Marion has worked at the reMARCAble store since it opened in August 2021.

“I like interacting with the customers,” Layne said. “It’s my favorite job.”

MARCA Industries started the store to help clients who wanted to learn to work in retail.

“I like the customers. I’m happy here,” said McKayla Bigler of Marion.

“Downtown is getting built up and I like being a part of it. I can walk to school at Marion Tech Downtown. I’m working on getting my GED,” Nick said.

They appreciate the support from the community. Nick needed a way to get around independently, and the American Legion Branch 162 donated a three-wheeled bike to him. A local prison donates the paint for the reclaimed wood projects.

“Unlike a big box business, you are helping local people. It makes a big difference in their lives. The owner of Kitty Kat Candles did a happy dance when we made her first sale. The cashier at a big box store is not going to do that. It really makes a difference,” Williams said.

Brian Oliver taught art at Elgin for 35 years. He sells framed art, postcards and prints there.

“I love the friendliness of the store. The store itself is just beautiful. It’s a good place to be. Kelsey is great to work with,” Oliver said.

“Downtown Marion is changing right in front of us. We volunteer to work on Third Thursdays because it is so much fun the streets come alive,” Kelsey said.

The reMARCAble store is open Tuesday through Saturday. Find more info at marcaindustries.org, call the store at 740-375-6144 or find them on Facebook or Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: reMARCAbly Reclaimed turns trash into treasure while changing lives