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West Jordan Journal

Deseret Industries Treasure Hunt

May 15, 2015 07:53PM ● By Crystal Couch

A mid-century painting, another Deseret Industries find by Melanie Adamson.

 West Jordan -  caption 01- - Submitted by Melanie Adamson Caption: Mid-century painting, another DI find.

 caption 2- - Submitted by Melanie Adamson Caption: Deseret Industries find. This is a “glass light cover that I flipped into a flower pot,” said Melanie Adamson.

A known phrase, “Put it in the DI box,” refers to a mythical box known and rarely seen, yet existing in many Utah households. “It was not until I married,” Christine Everill said, “that I found out ‘put it in the DI box’ was not a standard phrase in all families. My husband had no idea what a DI box was, or where I was keeping this box.” Everill is an occasional buyer from Deseret Industries, or the “DI”. 

The DI is a staple for many households. Residents visit it, purchase from it, donate their used items to it and some are employed by it.  

This is a Deseret Industries find, a glass light cover the has been flipped over and used as a flow pot by Melanie Adamson.

The DI is a thrift store that survives off donations from the community, and their merchandise changes daily. It ranges from typical household finds (dishes, kitchen tables, couches) to clothes, toys and bikes. One of Everill’s favorite finds was a gorgeous 1920’s buffet. “Our past is filled with histories and stories. Items from the past connect us to those stories, so all of my favorite finds usually come with a history lesson attached,” she said.

You do not need to be a pirate to find a treasure if you choose to take a trip to the local Deseret Industries. “I shop at DI because it is fun; it’s like treasure hunting for adults,” Everill said.

So, you have your once-a-month shoppers like Christine, and then your self-described regulars, like West Jordan resident Melanie Adamson. “I stop in between 2-3 times a week. The best time to go is right when they open because they are bringing out the carts full of ‘new’ items. But beware of the ‘couch sitters’,” she warns.  Adamson describes ‘couch sitters’ as people who sit and wait for the carts to come out so they can get to the newly-available items first. She warned they are known for being pushy and a little feisty.

During a few of her hauls, she has brought home a number of items. “Every corner of my house is filled with awesomeness from DI. Some of my favorites include a 3D geometrical mirror, lamps, a mid-century butterfly painting, and a glass light cover that I flipped into a flower pot.” 

Whether you are an occasional shopper to your local Deseret Industries or a religious buyer from their shelves, anyone who stops by and makes a purchase is in some form supporting their local community as a whole. To learn more about the DI and how they serve others, visit their website at http://deseretindustries.org/?lang=eng.