Charity drives local business

NORWALK — Charity motivates the work at Big and Small Treasures, which seeks to make donations to area charitable entities. Owner Trina Werner, who with her family, staffs the business at 29 N. Hester St., said the goal is to give away any money the store generates above its own operating expenses. "The money that we make, that we don't use to pay the bills, we give to different charities in Erie and Huron counties," Werner said. Most recently, Big and Small Treasures was able to make a donation to Victory Kitchen in Sandusky, which provides meals for those in need. Having struggled to do business during the COVID-19 pandemic, the business is nearly positioned to make another donation, possibly to When Pigs Fly, a similar Norwalk business, Werner said. "We're very close," she said. "Things are looking up." Inspiration to open the store came from Werner's previous employment in Sandusky, Werner said. "I used to work for Firelands Habitat for Humanity ReStore," she said, adding that her operation closely mirrors that of Goodwill Stores, with donations being accepted and prices kept low. That business model helps repurpose products that are still useable, keeping them out of landfills and in circulation. Low pricing allows for those who cannot necessarily afford new products to obtain good, working condition items. "I take donations just like Goodwill," Werner explained. "I try to keep prices low. "I don't take clothing," she said, adding that she cannot accept mattresses, box springs, sofa beds, futons or the like. Only electric, and not gas appliances, such as clothes dryers can be accepted, she said. "We test everything before we put it out. "I've got all sorts of things," she said. "I've got all sorts of furniture, knick-knacks, lamps, small appliances …" The store has held annual anniversary sales, with another anticipated for Aug. 13. What form the sale will take, has yet to be determined. "We haven't decided it yet." Store hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.