Balk at buying with the Benson Brook Boutique

MARION — In need of household items? Have unused tools taking up space? The Benson Brook Boutique opened at the Marion Transfer Station on April 10, allowing Marion and Rochester residents to drop off and pick up items in need at no cost.

The new swap shop is open every Wednesday through October from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Marion Department of Public Works Director Becky Tilden said that the swap shop will keep items out of the town’s waste stream, which will lessen disposal costs.

“It’s great to be able to have a place where residents can get rid of useful items they no longer need while allowing others that may need that item to have it,” said Tilden.

The swap shop will be monitored by volunteers at all times during open hours.

According to Tilden, problems such as loitering and traffic flow issues caused the closing of a swap shop at the transfer station in recent years.

“We are operating on a smaller scale and trial basis to make sure everything runs smoothly and the issues that presented themselves previously don’t happen again,” said Tilden.

Visits to the Benson Brook Boutique are limited to 15 minutes and once per day.

Joe Ayres has volunteered at the boutique each day it has been opened thus far. He said that more and more items have been getting dropped off every week.

All items dropped off must be clean and in working condition. Accepted items include kitchenware, lamps, art, lawn equipment, sports equipment and games.