by Lorie Lewis Ham
Upcycling businesses seem to be a big trend in the Valley right now. Upcycling means to take discarded objects or material and reuse them in such a way as to create a product of a higher quality or value than the original. Third Treasure, the latest such shop to open in the area, opened in Sanger in June of this year.
Owners Elizabeth and Julian Perez have been upcycling for years and finally decided to make it into a business. “It all started doing yard sales and doing custom orders plus a lot of vendor shows,” shared Elizabeth. “After consigning in Blossom, Laura, the owner of Blossom, asked us if we wanted to take over the building because she was moving. It took my boyfriend and I three months to remodel and gather consignors for our grand opening on June 27.”
Julian and Elizabeth in Third Treasure
Elizabeth and Julian did all of the work themselves and it was a bigger job than they had expected. “We had to tear down walls and place wood pallets up to have the welcoming atmosphere that we had in mind.”
The couple loves the fact that they can revive items that some people overlook as junk. “That’s why we named our store Third Treasure because it is not new or used it’s the third cycle of items,” continued Elizabeth.
Most of their items are found at real estate sales, yard sales, and from pickers who bring them in. They also have people donating items they no longer need rather than taking them to a dump.
Third Treasure also has a lot of homemade items in the store on consignment, and the pair are always on the lookout for unique handmade items for the store. Elizabeth stated, “Today, we have handmade soaps, handmade signs, handmade BBQ pits, handmade furniture, handmade purses, handmade garden decor… this is just some of the many awesome items we have in our store.
“Everything is unique because it comes from local, talented consignors. We love the fact that we can help all our consignors to branch out their awesome handmade items.”
“Third Treasure is a great addition to Sanger’s retail shops,” said Sanger artist Kathleen Mattox. “It is full of unique, interesting, clever, handmade items from button earrings to barbecue smokers with a team motif. The displays are amazing and artfully arranged and over 20 consignors are eagerly providing the shop with new merchandise daily. Don’t miss this great addition to Sanger’s growing shopping scene! Make a day of it and visit them all!”
“I absolutely love going in to the store,” shared Third Treasure patron Belen Aceves Lara. “They always have different and unique items that you fall in love with.”
According to Elizabeth, they are the only handmade/upcycled store in Sanger and currently have 25 consignors. Third Treasure will also be hosting classes, thanks to their consignors, for people who want to learn how to paint, sew, and make unique pieces. Classes will be announced on their Facebook and Instagram. 
“Our store brings somewhat of an all in one vendor show to Sanger. Locals in town can now buy and support locals in our shop instead of shopping at big corporations or high priced boutiques, and we like to keep our prices reasonable for everyone.”
“I love this little store,” shared Lee Ann Hansen. “Not just because I’m a consigner, but because there is something for everyone. Unique gifts for the hard to buy for or that person that has everything. It’s refreshing to see gifts that are upcycled!”
While it was a challenge to pull together the funds to open Third Treasure, both feel it is well worth it when people who come to their store say how much they love it and that they’ve never seen a store like it. “We always want to make our customers happy,” said Elizabeth. “Feel free to ask us if you have any ideas that you would love to see in the store.”
Elizabeth and Julian seem to have succeeded in making their customers happy. “This place is so amazing, so many unique items that fit your individual needs,” said local resident Ermelinda Perez. “Every time I walk in, it just brings a smile to my being. I walk around in awe of all the different items made by someone’s crafty hands. It is such a comfortable and wonderful place to take five and just let the troubles of your world just melt away. What a blessing to have something like this in your town!”
Third Treasure is open Monday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You can find them at 1514 Jensen Ave. in Sanger. To keep up with their latest news “like” Third Treasure on Facebook and check out their Instagram.
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