Treasure Island returns to heart of town

Treasure Island, a store that sells new and used jewelry, household items and home furnishings, is moving to the former home of Essentials 4 in downtown Vashon.

The store is leaving behind its current home near the IGA plaza. Taking a break amid many items marked down for her moving sale last week, shop owner Marci Christopher stated the reason for her move was simple.

“I need to be on the main drag,” she said.

Christopher intends to open her new store by this weekend — in time for Strawberry Festival. She will also keep her old store open until July 31, offering discounts for as much as 70 percent off.

Christopher first opened Treasure Island in 2005. This will be the fourth location she has occupied, bringing her back nearly to the heart of town. Several vendors, including the former Vashon Island Music, have space in the store, as do several people who sell items on consignment there, providing the store with a frequent change of inventory.

“I like stuff,” she said, explaining her business.

Christopher had hoped her business would thrive in the location she is leaving, the former home of Fulton Family Medicine, but she found she had fewer customers off of the town’s main street.

“Great landlord and nice building,” she stressed, referencing building owner Sally Kimmel.

Christopher has invested in some new additions for her new location: several new home decor items she said she will offer at an affordable price, and a new sign, complete with a mermaid and Octopus.

Christopher got her start in business years ago as a vendor at Old Dreams, where Bramble House is now. When that building sold, Christopher opened her own store at the south edge of town, where several vendors joined her. From there, she moved to the Old Fuller Store at Center and then, not quite two years ago, she moved to the building she is leaving behind.

Looking ahead, she said she is excited to be settled into the new space.

“Really, there is going to be cool stuff,” she said. “Treasures.”

She intends to open in town on Friday, and then, as is her tradition, will be open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to at least 5 p.m., possibly later.