Staff writer
Shoppers flocked to Marion stores on Black Friday looking for unique gifts not to be found at big box retailers.
The aisles of St. Luke Auxiliary Shoppe were crowded to the point shoppers were having difficulty getting past other shoppers Friday.
Alyssa Moore, Hesston, and her mother Tracey Wert, Canton, stopped by the thrift store after a shopping visit to The Copper Shed. Both were decked out in Christmas finery for their shopping expedition.
Moore said the thrift store is a never-miss when they are in Marion.
“It’s the thrill of never knowing what you’re going to find,” Wert said.
Jennifer Janzen, of Hillsboro, said Friday was her first time inside the store. She was on the way to visit Marion Cemetery and decided to stop in. She’s a thrift store aficionado, Janzen said.
“I think it’s organized really well,” Janzen said.
Gayle Thomas found a cute little sled to display outside her home.
“I have a buggy step outside and I wanted to put something on it,” Thomas said. “I always try to change things up with what I have.”
Across the street at Bearly Makin’ It, shoppers also came to see what unique gifts they could find.
A large crock of Daisy Red Rider air guns, still in the original packaging, was on display across from the counter.
Sherrie Onnen, Waverly, was in Derby to visit her daughter-in-law when she saw a posting on a social media page about Bearly Makin’ It. That made her want to see the shop, so she drove up.
She bought a miniature cast iron stove and utensils set.
“A lot of people are saying they saw the business listed,” said Mary Olson, a clerk at Bearly Makin’ It.