Pop-up store benefits cancer research
Feb. 21—HENDERSON — Frances Garrett, a four-time cancer survivor who is currently fighting it again — said she feels just fine. So much so that she's been operating a pop-up store for the benefit of the American Cancer Society.
The storefront, an unleased lot belonging to Early Falsom Properties, is filled to the brim with all manner of antique, eclectic goods — lamps, paintings, golf clubs and a century-old chestnut crib as of Tuesday morning.
Garrett thanked EFP Owner Jason Stewardson for donating the space next door to the Dollar Tree at 210 Raleigh Road. It's a good one, to boot — there's lots of foot traffic thanks to the adjacent discount store and Salvation Army. She had the idea, and connected with Chuck Martin, whose friend puts on estate sales. They opened the store together on Feb. 13.
The goods are all leftovers from five estates — those of Gay Drake, Bill Mast, Jane Baker, Alice Harris and Frank Smith. The families had already gone through and decided what they wanted and later donated the rest for the shop.
The store is closing on Saturday so they're having a blowout sale of sorts. Everything is half off.
Those entering the store might feel the general air of positivity — volunteers bantering as Rascal, a little dog and the store's CEO, skitters around underfoot, asking for pets. At its core is Garrett — as mentioned, she's had cancer five times, yet she's a bundle of sunshine, all smiles.
Beyond raising money for the ACS, the space has allowed people to come together and share their experiences with cancer. Garrett is proud of that.
She shared her own experience — back in 1978, she noticed a lump on her inner right elbow. Her doctor insisted it was nothing and told her to check in with a surgeon if it didn't go away within six months. Her friend recommended her to, of all things, a veterinarian — who implored her to seek immediate treatment.
Good thing, too — it was cancerous. If somebody fears they have cancer, they ought to seek second opinions until they're satisfied with the answer, said Garrett.
"You know your body better than anyone," she said. "You have to push to find out what is going on — even doctors make mistakes."
Ellen Moody, another volunteer, joked that she wanted to be Garrett when she grows up. In all seriousness, Garret is an inspiration, she said. Her husband is undergoing his own battle with cancer.
In 1994, Garrett joined up with the local Relay for Life and has been involved with fundraising for cancer ever since.
"It's addictive, like a drug!" she joked.
Garrett quoted Booker T. Washington, saying "The happiest people are those who do the most for others."
As of Tuesday, she and her crew of around 12 volunteers had raised just shy of $12,000 for ACS. They were hoping for $5,000.
Indeed, making sales wasn't the hard part, said Garrett. Keeping the tables empty has — oftentimes, customers make donations of their own.
The store is a community effort, she said, one that shows a more positive face for Henderson. She hopes to open up shop once more as often as three times a year.
