Thrifty Treasures finds room to grow
Sandy Smith, co-owner of the Thrifty Treasures Boutique in Rocky Top, works on moving merchandise out of the shop on Thursday, March 26, in preparation of relocating the store to the former site of the Coal Creek General Store in downtown Rocky Top. (photo:G. Chambers Williams III )
Owners Sandy Smith of Powell and her sister, Susan Riggs of Rocky Top, moved their business late last week from the 305 S. Main St. building that formerly housed the Rocky Top Dentistry practice.
Coal Creek General Store, which opened in late September 2023, closed on Jan. 31. Owner Jason Deel, a Clinton-based real estate agent and auctioneer, cited “changing consumer habits” as the key reason for shutting down the business.
It was the former site of the Lake City Auction House, in a building constructed in 1900.
Deel said in 2023 that he believes it’s the oldest building still standing in downtown Rocky Top.
As for Thrifty Treasures, Smith said she and her sister “jumped at the chance” to rent the former general store building when it was listed after the store closed.
“They put up the [for rent] sign and we were calling in an hour,” Smith said Thursday as she and her sister, along with helpers and a few trucks, loaded up their store’s merchandise for the short trip to the new location.
“We are thrilled to announce that we have reopened at our new location, situated at 331 S. Main St., Rocky Top, effective Wednesday, April 1,” Thrifty Treasures posted Monday on Facebook.
“Our schedule for this week is: Wednesday to Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. We will be closed on Saturday for an annual family commitment. We look forward to seeing you soon.”
Smith said the new location is much larger than the former space, making room for Thrifty Treasures to offer booth space to vendors.
At the previous location, the store featured only its own stock, which included “home décor merchandise, new and used, including vintage items and antiques,” Smith said at the time she was opening at that address.
“We had a store here about 10 years ago,” she said in 2024. “We both love doing this.”
