Boxcar Treasures to move to Square

Boxcar Treasures in Washington will soon have a new home.

The antiques, crafts and collectibles store announced that it was moving into the former YMCA space at 110 S. Iowa Ave. on the east side of the Square in Washington.

'We've always wanted to be on the Square,” Boxcar Treasures co-owner Jodie Schimke said. 'This is a chance to get more involved with the Chamber and Main Street activities and an opportunity for more visibility.”

Schimke said that being at their current location at 307 E. Fifth St. kept them from participating in Main Street activities and events.

Boxcar Treasures founder and co-owner Carol Riggan said that they looked at other opportunities to relocate on the Square, but none of them were quite the right fit for them.

'We always wanted a location on the Square,” Riggan said. 'We had a couple opportunities in the past, but they never worked out. So, I feel like this was meant to be.”

They plan to make the move at the end of June with an eye on opening the doors at their new location on July 1.

Schimke said that, during the move, they will keep their regular business hours as much as possible.

The move to the new location in Suite B of the former YMCA location does not provide additional space for Boxcar Treasures.

'Actually, it's a bit smaller footprint,” Schmike said. 'But, that's OK.”

Once they have moved to the new location, they plan to keep their regular business hours, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

'We will look at expanding hour during farmers market evenings,” Schmike said. 'That should generate more traffic.”

Riggan added, 'I think this will be good for our business and other businesses on the Square, too.”

The building is owned by DW Developments of Washington. The ground floor is divided into retail space, while the upper floor has been converted to apartments.

Riggan founded Boxcar Treasures in December 2016. Schmike joined her soon afterward as a vendor, then as a business partner.

They operate two other locations in Ainsworth and Kalona.