Creve Coeur – Olivette Chamber of Commerce Meets at Fantastic Finds

Fantastic Finds hosted a coffee gathering for the Creve Coeur – Olivette Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 12.

Members met to network with other business representatives, learn about Fantastic Finds, and shop at the store, while sipping coffee and eating breakfast pastries.

Tom Lancia, executive director of the Chamber, said his mother, Bernice, is a member of Assistance League of St. Louis (ALSTL) and volunteers at the shop, so he’s known about the store for a long time. “It’s a great store with a great heart behind it.”

The upscale resale shop is the largest fundraiser for ALSTL, Mary Belgeri, chair of Fantastic Finds, told the group. They applauded when she said it earned $614,000 in profits last year. Except for store operating expenses, all of the profits are used to fund the organization’s five programs. She briefly described the clothing, shoes, books, and scholarships that ALSTL provides for students to contribute to their academic success.

Diana Huey, on the Outreach Committee, told them about the $100,000 spent on beds and bedding last year for families affected by disasters, such as a fire or flood. Outreach is currently assisting families impacted by the tornado from last May.

Businesses can support Fantastic Finds in non-monetary ways by telling others about the store and encouraging them to donate or shop there, said Jayne Foley, chair of Public Relations.

The store has been attracting younger customers on weekends, said Sue Ogier, chair of Social Media, due to a TikTok video from an influencer that’s gone viral. In the video, a young woman shares her store purchases and remarks on the quality and low prices.

Kim Hamm, representing Deer Valley Home Health, loves resale shops, but hadn’t visited Fantastic Finds before. She shopped on Friday and plans to return.

Dr. Paul Hyland, from Committed to Health Chiropractic Center, said his mother-in-law always shops at Fantastic Finds when she visits his family.