Staff Writer
CARIBOU — There’s no better place to find the perfect gift at bargain prices than at Tobi’s Treasures, Caribou’s newest gift shop for thrifty shoppers.
Aroostook Republican photos by Natalie Bazinet
Left, Halfway Home Pet Rescue volunteer Carol Pierson assists fellow volunteer Roberta Corp with the purchase of a brand new stuffed animal cat. Eager to have his trip to Tobi’s Treasures documented, Damien Denzer, 6, of Connor adopted a gray kitten (right) with his family during the grand opening of the shop. With a wide array of fine collectables, dolls, dishes and unique trinkets and a quickly rotating selection — customers may never know what they’ll find a Tobi’s, but can be certain they’ll always find a deal.
The gift shop is operated by Halfway Home Pet Rescue volunteers who tend to customers from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday in hopes of helping the charitable organization become self-sustaining.
“This is a bad economy and humane shelters tend to be on the bottom rung of the cause list,” explained HHPR President Norma Milton. “This is an attempt to bring our budget into balance so that we can continue providing our services.”
While HHPR volunteers freely give the love and affection necessary to acclimate homeless and occasionally feral cats to domestication, the veterinary care needed for so many animals is costly even with tremendous generosity of HHPR veterinary providers.
Fortunately for pet rescue volunteers and the animals they save, Tobi’s Treasures seems to be a hit.
The parking lot was filled with curious customers during the grand opening on Friday July 2 and cars kept on coming; whether it was a brand-new picture frame or a loveable new kitten that patrons purchased, the homeless cats of the HHPR were the beneficiaries; shopping never felt so good.
Tobi’s Treasures is especially a perfect place for youths to find something nice for their teachers or grandparents without breaking their piggy banks.
Many customers have been surprised with what they find — especially those who think that Tobi’s Treasures is a thrift store.
“We have been been surprisingly busy considering that we’re a new business and people don’t really know what we’re about,” Milton said. “Curiosity brings them in and they leave very satisfied because they find some great items for a great bargain.”
While customers will always be able to purchase like-new items at low prices, the cats will only be available for adoption at Tobi’s on Saturdays.
“Like Old Stan Thomas of Madawaska Lake used to say, ‘Whatever you’re looking for, if we don’t have it, you probably don’t need it anyway,” Milton said.
Volunteers are always needed at Tobi’s Treasures and applications are available at the shop; while not everyone can foster cats in their homes, volunteering an hour or two at Tobi’s Treasures is a great way to help the animals — you might just find the perfect item at an unbeatable price while you’re there.
Tobi’s Treasures is located at 262 Sweden Street in Caribou.
