MCF Treasure Trove Market ready to expand at Mall of Monroe

Lisa Vidaurri Bowling, The Monroe News
·4 min read
In November, Joel Garcia and his wife, Rachel, opened MCF Treasure Trove Market at the Mall of Monroe, 2121 N. Monroe Street.
In November, Joel Garcia and his wife, Rachel, opened MCF Treasure Trove Market at the Mall of Monroe, 2121 N. Monroe Street.

Last month, Joel and Rachel Garcia opened MCF Treasure Trove at the Mall of Monroe, 2121 N. Monroe Street and they’re ready to expand.

Formerly known as the Monroe County Flea Market located on La Plaisance Road, the business first opened in February and relocated to the mall in November.

“We were looking for a location with a family-friendly atmosphere,” Joel Garcia said. “Where we were located had too many dispensaries moving into the area.”

Open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, the market currently occupies four suites in the mall.

“We have 12 vendors but we’re looking for more,” he said. “We hope to add and occupy more storefronts. We rent space on a monthly basis. People’s lives change and they can’t always commit to a long period of time so we offer month-to-month options.”

The market offers a variety of items from vintage to new including collectibles, jewelry, housewares, furniture, musical instruments, records and handmade crafts. Inventory changes often with vendors bringing in different products to sell.

MCF Treasure Trove Market vendor Bonnie Ulrich of Newport owns and operates “Play Time at Vonda’s Treasures.”
MCF Treasure Trove Market vendor Bonnie Ulrich of Newport owns and operates “Play Time at Vonda’s Treasures.”

Vendor Bonnie Ulrich of Newport owns and operates “Play Time at Vonda’s Treasures.”

“For years, my mother, Vonda Hoste, was a collector. She collected fast food toys from McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy’s, Taco Bell and Dairy Queen. She even had items from the Holiday Inn and many more,” Ulrich said. “Most of my customers are looking for memorabilia.”

Ulrich’s inventory exceeds what she currently has on display and although the items are priced to sell, she is open to negotiating with customers.

“I also have a toy chest with free toys for children visiting the mall,” she said. “If they’d like a toy, they can take one from the chest. They are mostly restaurant toys from 2002 or before.”

At MCF Treasure Trove Market, Terry Braden of Monroe is the owner of Kaleidoscope Resale, a booth specializing in vintage items like music boxes.
At MCF Treasure Trove Market, Terry Braden of Monroe is the owner of Kaleidoscope Resale, a booth specializing in vintage items like music boxes.

Terry Braden of Monroe is the owner of Kaleidoscope Resale, a booth specializing in vintage items.

“We try to look for things that are unique or one of a kind,” he said. “We have some antiques, like old German ornaments. Right now, we have between 75 to 80 music boxes out. Our items cater more to families and children.”

Braden shares floor space with Robert and Katrina Hensley of Detroit. The husband-and-wife team own Circle Valley Trading.

“We opened our booth here the first week in November. We have a little bit of everything for everyone. We have brand new products from Target and Amazon in discounted prices,” Katrina Hensley said. “These are all shelf-pulls, items that are pulled when stores are getting ready for the next season. Many of the items still have the tags.”

Monroe resident Jackie Monteer, president of the Humane Society of Monroe County, said she is grateful the organization has a booth in the MCF Treasure Trove Market at the Mall of Monroe.
Monroe resident Jackie Monteer, president of the Humane Society of Monroe County, said she is grateful the organization has a booth in the MCF Treasure Trove Market at the Mall of Monroe.

Monroe resident Jackie Monteer, president of the Humane Society of Monroe County, said she is grateful to see the market at the mall.

“We used to have a thrift store in the mall. We closed the store and we’re operating this booth stocked with animal supplies,” Monteer said. “It’s been great. One of the biggest problems we had was we didn’t have enough volunteers to keep the store open, so this has been a great option for us. It’s a wonderful option for people who can’t afford to open their own store.”

In addition to having a booth at the market, the Humane Society of Monroe County’s office is in the mall at the former Monroe Bank & Trust location.

Crystal Westerheide of Crafty Kitty Designs makes gnomes to sell in her booth at the MCF Treasure Trove Market.
Crystal Westerheide of Crafty Kitty Designs makes gnomes to sell in her booth at the MCF Treasure Trove Market.

Some vendors make and sell their creations like Crystal Westerheide of Crafty Kitty Designs.

“I make my crafts and my husband carves out the wood and I decorate it. Right now, I have items on the tree and some Christmas decorations and every day signage.”

Wesierheide shares booth space with her husband, Wortin.

Dubbed Tiger’s Bargain Box, his section carries discounted products like tools, toys, decorations and household items.

“People usually shop at the market because they like the idea of digging through boxes for treasures,” Garcia said. "Some are looking to add to their collections or see things they remember from their childhood."

As news of the market's new location spreads, the Garcias plan to add booths and host monthly activities in the mall like card and reptile shows.

They are hopeful the events will develop interest and more people will visit and support the different businesses in the mall.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: MCF Treasure Trove ready to expand at Mall of Monroe