Turning trash into treasure

WEYAUWEGA – A local couple is breathing new life into discarded household items and a formerly vacant local storefront with their new business, The Treasure Vault.

The business is situated at 123 E. Main St. and will hold a grand opening celebration from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 19. Regular business hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Joel Larsen, 61, and Lori Larsen, 56, are combining their unique talents to offer repurposed furniture and household decor.

“She’s the artist, I’m the hoarder,” Joel joked.

Some of the standout pieces include a desk crafted from an old sewing machine and a former buffet converted into a bookshelf. Other items include a pink rocking horse, updated dressers and a black table decorated with painted flowers, which was Lori’s very first refurbished piece.

The couple sources their materials from estate and rummage sales, and sometimes even curbside finds destined for the landfill. Together they transform items that might otherwise be thrown away into one-of-a-kind home accents.

Joel handles the initial repairs, sanding and woodworking, while Lori cleans, paints and adds finishing touches like decals or vintage embroidery. Joel is also a skilled woodworker who hand-carves intricate pieces directly from reference pictures.

Though she had no prior experience in furniture flipping before her husband suggested the idea, Lori said she has found a new passion for the craft.

“I would like people to see that older things can be turned into something beautiful,” she said.

In addition to refurbished furniture and decor, The Treasure Vault also sells rocks, crystals and fossils, including many that Joel has personally collected from across the country. He said he hopes his collection will spark a passion for geology and hands-on creativity in younger generations.

The business is a true labor of love for the Larsens, who both face significant physical challenges. Lori is disabled and Joel is legally deaf. They work on the store in their spare time and said they see it as an enjoyable outlet rather than a highly profitable business.

“I know we’ll never get rich, but I’m just hoping we can pay the light bill,” Joel said.

The couple’s partnership extends beyond their new retail venture. They first met about a decade ago through Second Chance Hope of Northeast Wisconsin, a nonprofit organization Lori founded to help families in need.

Joel, a former plumber and handyman, frequently brought estate-cleanout donations to her charity store in Clintonville and volunteered his time to make free home modifications for people with disabilities. The couple dated for about a year and a half before marrying in February.

After renting their current Weyauwega storefront a year ago, Joel spent considerable time repairing the property, painting ceilings and waterproofing the interior, which he said used to be just as wet inside during storms as it was outside.

The couple said they hope their new business venture will not only attract shoppers but also inspire other entrepreneurs to fill the area’s empty storefronts.

“Each of us has a talent but few of us find those talents,” Joel said. “Our store here, I hope to bring those talents and let them grow and enjoy them.”