Superior's Women in Timber face mounting challenges

The Women in Timber thrift store in Superior is believed to be the last standing chapter of the Women in Timber organization in the entire state.

This beloved community outpost helps those in need with food baskets during the holidays, provides families who’ve suffered the devastation of a houe fire with starting over, and on a weekly basis gives locals a chance to peruse gently used clothing, household goods, and other treasures.

After decades in Mineral County this past year has proven to be one of the stores most challenging seasons ever. Out of the small number of ladies that dedicate their time to volunteer each week at the thrift store, two of their longest standing members passed away from COVID this past summer.

Joann Merseal, one of the stores founders, blessed the lives of countless community members for over 30 years. And Norma Stepan who gave of her time and treasures for 10 years. Around that same period two other long-time volunteers stepped away for personal reasons.

The store closed during the month of July for the remaining volunteers to ensure their health and safety, and to grieve the loss of their dear friends and co-workers.

The future of the thrift store seemed uncertain now with Merseal gone. But to those who knew her well, they understood what her last wishes would be.

“The night she passed away she told her daughter, keep the store going,” shared Kathryn Verley, who has stepped up to fill the role of manager and treasurer. Verley has been working at the store for the past two years. “I felt like the ladies up their needed some help, and I wanted to be there for them,” she said.

After the overwhelming loss of Merseal and Stepan, Verley set to work on fulfilling Merseals request. One of the first steps to reopening the thrift store was to clear out old donations, deep clean, and complete some major reorganizing.

Verley had the help of many, including Norma Cyr, Suzie Robinson, and Kat Thompson. But as Verley and her team of helpers worked tirelessly to void the building of unusable items, an ongoing predicament became very evident.

“We have had a dumping problem for years, but lately it’s gotten absurd,” stated Verley. Women in Timber has historically taken donations of all kinds, locals could come and leave their old clothing, or household items on the large front porch of the building. Sadly, more and more the donated items were things that were unacceptable to be left. Filthy clothing, bedding covered in dog hair or animal urine, and countless broken items.

In an attempt to reopen the store in a more efficient manner, the volunteers at Women in Timber rid the store of anything they deemed unrespectable to the people who shop there.

“If you wouldn’t wear it, or buy it and bring it home, then it's garbage. Don’t bring it here,” Verley requested. In dumping fees alone, the thrift store was spending between $200 and $400 a month to get rid of items that shouldn’t have been donated in the first place. Before the store reopened in August, they paid a disposal fee of nearly $1,000 to clear out truckloads of useless items and make room for donations they feel proud to display.

Verley shared, “We want shoppers to feel good about what they buy from here, and know that it’s from a community of people that care about one another.”

The thrift store was recently gifted with free labor and equipment from Drew Simkins in St. Regis, who helped install a much-needed security system for outside the building.

Several times in the past few months thoughtless individuals have left very large wasteful donations, and not only can the store not sell them, but the women who volunteer are physically unable to move them.

With new security cameras in place, and a more stringent donation process they are hopeful to prevent anymore dumping issues in the future. When bringing donations to the store the volunteers ask that you bring them only during business hours which are now Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Contributions need to be brought inside and approved by one of the volunteers. For larger items like furniture or unusual donations feel free to call the store and check if it’s something they have space for.

Since reopening and revamping things around the nonprofit store, sales have nearly doubled. And that income goes toward feeding anywhere between 125 and 180 families for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The store also provides a $1,000 scholarship to graduating seniors from Superior, St. Regis and Alberton.

Through word of mouth and news coverage in the Missoula area, people are bringing in more quality donations and very nice clothes from givers near and far. Verley joked each of the gals work in a specific department, like clothing or upstairs in the home goods. She laughed, “We are the Macy’s of Mineral County now!”

What has proven to be an incredibly hard summer, has also ushered in a new turning point for the Women in Timber thrift store. They will miss their sisters of the woods, and the legacy of hard work and helping others that Merseal and Stepan left behind.

But now the ladies that are left continue sorting, hanging, and arranging the nonstop donations that trickle in through their doors. More volunteers are always welcome and greatly needed, it’s a fun place to socialize, shop, give back, and do good for the families of Mineral County.