Tehachapi Treasure Trove's Seventh Birthday Celebration

Tehachapi Treasure Trove is planning a special First Friday on Oct. 4, as the store's downtown location will be celebrating seven years of making friends and fun, as well as art and of being a continuing major player in the Tehachapi art community.

The Treasure Trove began as a nugget in the mind of Mel White with help from Sandy Thoman, and after a couple of exploratory meetings, Susanna Monette and Janet Meabon joined them in the planning and implementation of the new adventure. The initial idea was for a small handmade gift shop and work space, but that vision expanded when the current space became available on Tehachapi Boulevard in historic downtown Tehachapi. After signing the lease in May 2012, the work began: painting, remodeling, building walls and recruiting vendors. Then came the moving in and setting up: both Mel's Tehachapi Art Center (then located on South Street) and her Cross Roads Gallery were moved into the new location with the help of many friends, to become the newer, bigger and better Tehachapi Treasure Trove.

The doors first opened on Mountain Festival weekend 2012, even though there was still work to be done, and a few classes began in September in the west room. The grand opening of Tehachapi Treasure Trove was celebrated on First Friday, Oct. 5, 2012, with ribbon cutting, featured speakers, cake and champagne.

From then on organizational work continued, more artists became part of the TTT family and more teachers offered more diverse classes. Especially fun for all concerned were continuing the First Friday celebrations and adding in Main Street's various wine walks.

Sandy resigned from the TTT partnership for medical reasons in late 2012, leaving Janet, Susanna and Mel as the three managing partners. Janet resigned in 2014, at which time Dawn Callahan and Steve Headrick became partners (Janet loves to point out that it took two to replace her). As real life continued to present challenges and changes, Dawn and Steve bowed out in March 2019, preparing for their approaching move to Alabama. Karen Stevens became a Treasure Trove partner at that time, while Mel and Susanna continue as partners as they have from the beginning.

With 50 plus vendors and artists, things are always changing at Tehachapi Treasure Trove, and First Friday is an excellent time to come in and check out the uncommonly eclectic and unusually unique stuff, created and offered by your friends and neighbors right here in Tehachapi. And everyone is invited to come and help celebrate October's First Friday and TTT's seventh anniversary. As a special offering there will be historical pictures to enjoy plus balloons, cake and opportunity drawings (our artists and vendors have donated some great pieces for the drawings).

Our Seventh Birthday Celebration will be First Friday, Oct. 4 from 5 to 8 p.m. and, of course, we will also have our usual art and supplies displays, food, wine, laughter and good conversation, and music by Art Larson on clarinet.

Tehachapi Treasure Trove is located at 116 E. Tehachapi Blvd. right across the street from the water tower in Railroad Park. Hours are daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.). The store carries an extensive line of art and craft supplies and artist services along with, yarn, music, collectibles and a jewelry studio. For additional information on any of our activities, classes and events, please call (661) 822-6794, visit us on Facebook at Tehachapi Treasure Trove or visit our website http://www.tehachapitreasuretrove.com.