The thrift store was started by families and supporters of MVL 40 years ago this month.

MVL principal Jerry Birkholz had the initial idea to start a thrift store to raise funds for non-budgetary items at the high school. From the beginning, it was stated that 75% of the store’s earnings would go directly to MVL with the other 25% supporting other WELS and ELS ministries.

At the Treasurer Haus 40th celebration, several people connected to MVL and area Lutheran ministries praised the thrift store and the volunteers.

Pastor Nate Scharf said the store represented 40 years of service from the community, which helped give stability to MVL.

Sandy Sarheim is a 22 year volunteer at Treasurer Haus. She typically works the cash register. Sarheim said she likes working at Treasurer Haus because she is able to meet a wide variety of people and gets her out of the house.

MVL Dean of Students Jim Buboltz said for most of the school’s 50 years of history, Treasurer Haus had been there to provide support. There were many items the school was able to purchase thanks to gifts from the store. That included some of the recent expansions to the high school.

“I am here to give you the most heartfelt thank you and all you have done for us,” Buboltz said.

He said Treasurer Haus was an important fixture in helping the school, but said it went beyond MVL.

“Treasurer Haus is a fixture not just for this school, but for this community,” he said. “How often do you drive by the store and see a full parking lot? Every time I think about Treasure Haus, I say ‘Thank God.'”

The early founders were all volunteers, receiving no pay. Forty years later, several remain active. The 40th-anniversary celebration was held in part to honor the many volunteers who continue to serve in the store.

During the Treasure Haus 40th anniversary celebration at Minnesota Valley Lutheran, the store founders and long time volunteers were all honored for their service to the school and community. (L to R) : Carol Schapekahn, Judy Schroer, Carolyn Kramer, Carol Kramer, Helen Black, Marley Kuckhahn, Mae Tacke, Melba Graupmann, Patricia Mead, Marge Fieneyer, LaDoona Rodewald and Carrie Woller.

Treasurer Haus Manager Dawn Weisensel said currently they have about 100 volunteers working at the store. Treasurer Haus has over 100 volunteers. There is a mixture of volunteers who come once a week or a couple of times a month and regular volunteers.

Sandy Sarheim is one of the regular volunteers. She began volunteering at Treasurer Haus 22 years ago.

Sarheim said she remembers calling on a weekend to see if the store needed help. They asked her to come in Monday and she’s volunteered at the store ever since.

“When they found out I worked as a banker they put me on the register,” she said.

Sarheim said she has worked as a volunteer longer than she has at any paying job, but she loves it.

“You meet a wide range of people volunteering here,” she said. “And it gets me out of the house.”

“I think people love working here,” Weisensel said. “They have fun and share faith too.

They know all the resources go out to MVL. It’s the double whammy of having fun and helping.

“I am so thankful that 40 years ago the founders dreamed big,” Treasurer Haus Manager Jen Jaspersen said during the birthday celebration.

Keeping Treasurer Haus going for four decades was no easy challenge. The store faced many obstacles, including finding a consistent location.

The store first opened at 108 N. State Street on property owned by Dennis Jaspersen, who was willing to lease space for the store.

Treasurer Haus faced its greatest setback on June 27, 1986. A fire started in the building. It was a complete loss including the content. Fortunately, the board insured the building and contents allowing them to start over.

In the fall of 1986, the store reopened in rented space attached to Smiley’s Bar. Treasure Haus remained at this location for two years before moving to 116 S. Minnesota Street in April 1988. It would remain at this location for 14 years. The Minnesota Street location served the store well, but it was a three-story home and navigating stairs was a challenge.

In 2002, Treasurer Haus moved again, this time to 1209 S. Broadway in the former Bee Line gas station. Everything at this location was on one level. It was at this location in 2011 that Treasurer Haus crossed $1 million in donations to MVL. The next year, Treasure Haus hit another milestone. The store made over $1,000 in sales in a single day. In the early days, it was common for daily sales to be under $50.

Sarheim remembered working the register the day they made over $1,000 in a single day. She said they had a little celebration in the store when it happened, but now it is relatively common for the store to break $1,000.

Jaspersen said she believes the store founders would be shocked by how much revenue the store brings in, but also pleased.

By 2016, Treasurer Haus needed to move one more time. The store at 1209 S. Broadway was struggling with space. A storage unit was needed to hold donations. Some larger donations had to be turned away due to lack of space. That year, Treasurer Haus moved into the former Bauer’s Hardware Store at 1700 S. Broadway. The store remains at this location to this day. Volunteers agree this is the best space for Treasurer Haus.

“Retail is an ever-changing business,” Jaspersen said. “Many brick-and-mortar stores are closing, yet Treasurer Haus thrives. We continue to be great stewards of the community.”

Fellow Treasure Haus manager Dawn Weisensel also believed strong stewardship was the source of the store’s success.

“When people bring items here because they know it goes to a good cause,” Weisensel said. The amount of donations they receive can sometimes be overwhelming. During one recent Friday shift, Weisensel said six people brought in donations within half an hour. On Saturday there is sometimes a line of people bringing items to donate.

“There are so many repeat customers,” Jaspersen said. “People come here for the small, everyday items they need at an affordable price, but they also find the odd items you can’t find anywhere else.”

Volunteers at Treasurer Haus are confident that before the store’s 41st birthday, it will have officially brought in $2 million in donations for MVL.