A longtime dispatcher turned entrepreneur, a Fremont County woman’s story and her new store

RIVERTON, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) -

With a background in law enforcement and healthcare, this Riverton resident decided it was finally time for a career change, to pursue her dreams of opening up a thrift store. Karen Johnson started from the ground up with no business loans, and just an old table that needed refinished.

Johnson stated, “I bought a table here locally that needed a lot of work and I brought it home and I sanded it down, refurnished it, put all new screws in it. I redid the chairs and I sold it.”

Karen Johnson, who owns the store, said the profit from the table was about $200, and it snowballed from there. Not wanting to take out business loans, she began traveling around Wyoming, buying and selling used goods until she had enough to open up a storefront.

“I enjoy being able to save things that would typically go to the landfill. You can turn anything into something special, and another person’s junk is another person’s treasure,” Johnson emphasized.

The avid thrifter wants others in need to also enjoy finding a deal when they come to her store. “I love finding good finds, cheap finds. I like reselling it cheap so somebody else gets a deal, it’s just fun to me,” added Johnson.

She said she wants to keep prices low to help out anyone in need, and even if someone can’t afford those prices, she will do what she can to reach out a helping hand.

“If you need a small set of silverware, if you need some plates and bowls just to get you through until you can find some, if you need a dress for prom and you can’t afford it; if you need anything at all, I want people to know that they can contact me and we can always, always work something out,” stated Johnson.

She also hopes to create a unique shopping experience for her customers like buying a coffee mug and sipping while you shop.

“It’s a good place for people to come and feel comfortable and just have something to do. Have a cup of coffee, grab a bag of popcorn, snoop around, see what kind of treasures you can find,” said Johnson.

The name of the store in Riverton is Twice but Nice Thrift and is located at 118 North Federal Blvd. She hopes to open the storefront the first week in June. She is currently accepting all kinds of donations and the best methods to contact her are on Facebook at the page Twice but Nice Thrift, or by phone at (307) 840-3440 and by email at kjohnsonkj126@gmail.com

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