Couple taking gamble on new Monroe business, supply chain

Located on East Main Street in downtown Monroe, new thrift store Hidden Treasures MP offers a hodgepodge of items, such as commercial kitchen equipment, children's books, tools, games, clothing, jewelry and everything in between.

Hidden Treasures MP owners Mike and Pimpa Stephens of Bellevue obtain their merchandise by purchasing the contents of abandoned storage units. Per state law, anytime an occupant falls behind on their storage unit payments, the facility owner is legally allowed to sell the contents of the unit to satisfy the debt. Similar to the reality television show "Storage Wars,GÇ¥ Mike bids on repossessed storage units without knowing what they might contain.

It happens quickly, he said. Once the auction begins, the doors are opened and potential purchasers are able to do a brief visual assessment to help them decide if they want to bid on that unit.

Sometimes he finds treasures, he said; other times it's just junk. He recently paid $600 for a neatly boxed up unit, only to discover the boxes were filled with children's books. He's been giving the books away as a way to welcome new customers, he said.

One of the most interesting things he's ever found was a 10-inch jade knife, which he gave to his mother as a gift. Another time, he purchased a unit filled with commercial kitchen equipment from a Baja Fresh restaurant that had gone out of business. Once a unit is purchased, Mike has a certain amount of time to remove the items, which he sorts through to figure out what to keep.

Open since July 19, Hidden Treasures MP is the result of those efforts.

In addition to standard thrift store items like dishes, vintage trinkets, lamps, clothing, art, candles, books and puzzles, the shop includes niche products like a crafter's collection of rubber stamps ' all of which appear to be brand-new. They also carry specialty items, including designer handbags and perfume.

Mike said they strive to keep their prices affordable.

Married since January, Mike and Pimpa decided opening a store showcasing their treasures would be an adventure they could embark on together. They have spent the last two weeks working out a few kinks, and hope to hold their official grand opening sometime in August.

Other than a couple garage sales, retail is a new experience for them.

"It's an education,GÇ¥ Mike said. "I've never done retail, so everything is completely new.GÇ¥

Hidden Treasures MP at 119 E Main St., and open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information about the store, visit www.facebook.com/hiddentreasuresmp.-á -á