A treasure trove in Hanna

There is a new shop in Hanna where customers can browse for antiques, second hand items and a place to relax and talk with friends.

Chapman Treasures, located in the Hanna Shopping Center, can be found next to Wee Folks Preschool.

The founder and owner is Sondra Clemmons.

She is no stranger to working with items which were previously owned. Last August she started the thrift shop Aaron and Bentley Hugs which had been housed in the basement of St. Joseph's Catholic Church.

Clemens named that business after her son and granddaughter. This time around, she is choosing her maiden name, Chapman, for her new endeavor.

Chapman Treasures has so much merchandise to choose from, Clemmons took over two stores which were side by side in the shopping center in early May. She has been open the past couple of months but confesses she is still organizing her wares for the public to easily see what she has to offer.

"It is a big store and there is a lot to choose from," Clemons said. "All my merchandise would never have fit in one store."

Clemmons scouts for her stock from storage unit sales, houses being vacated, personal items she collected over time and donations.

"I look for vintage and antique pieces, but I am open to many things," Clemmons said. "We carry kitchen ware, sewing stuff, sports equipment, clothes, books that antique and fairly new and many things that appeal to that spontaneous shopping moment."

Currently she sells a lot of the vintage jewelry to teenage girls of the community.

"I have a man's section that has a lot of different things from auto parts to sports equipment," Clemmons said. "I get a lot of browsing in that section."

The store is open six days a week, Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

When Clemmons ran the store Aaron and Bentley Hugs she had a non-profit model because it was ran out of the church. Although Chapman Treasures is for profit, Clemmons still assists others even though no money exchanges hands.

"I still help people in the community if they need it," Clemmons said. "A lot of the workers coming to work on various projects often only come with only their clothes and need to set up residences. I realize they are waiting for their first paycheck and by helping them it makes our community seem more welcoming."

Clemmons said being kind usually pays off.

Another aspect of Chapman Treasures is her 'tea table' which is a way for women of the community to socialize.

Clemmons has experienced domestic violence and knows the value of talking with others.

"(At) This table, women can come together and just talk," Clemmons said. "I have, in my experience, found talking with others can really help. So sometimes we drink tea and sometimes it is Mountain Dew when we have our get togethers."

Clemens came from Arizona before moving to Hanna a little over a year ago, but she was born in Rock Springs. Clemons moved to Hanna to be close to her daughter, son-in-law and grandchild. Her children range in age from 33 to nine, three of whom are adopted. Clemens said it has always been her nature to help others in need which is why she is sympathetic to those who don't have much.

She has a corner in her front window honoring the military.

"I like to keep the patriotism alive in our community," Clemmons said. "I support our troops because so many come from these type of small towns."

Chapman Treasures is having its first sale in the coming week. She is offering customers clothes that can be fit in a bag for one dollar.

"We have a lot of clothes and as the school year starts, this can help parents make the year more affordable," Clemmons said. "Again, I hope the sale helps people in the community."

Hanna resident Misty Hurd testifies to Clemmons' kindness.

"My brother and mother lost their storage shed and Sondra was called to get it all," Hurd said. "After getting it all, Sondra returned it to my mother."

Clemmons got tears in her eyes as Hurd recounted her story.

"We are here for the community," Clemmons said. "It is an essential part of my business model."