
Mary McMahon and Dora Montagna shop at the grand opening of The Bargain Basket’s expansion. Submitted Photos
No, it’s not something found in the merchandise, but rather the setting where those items are displayed. The store recently celebrated the grand opening for an update to that “setting,” a new addition which adds 230 square feet of floor space.
Opened in 1975, The Bargain Basket is a ministry arm of the United Church of Marco Island. Proceeds are used to further advance the church’s ministry to support its local and national ministry partners.

Rev. Mark Williams offers an opening prayer.
Samantha Kopren, The Bargain Basket’s manager, said she and the store’s volunteer staff refer to the new space as “our accessory floor.
“The idea with moving the jewelry there is it makes it easier for customers to access it,” she added. “It used to be at the front cash registers, so the cashiers would have to stop what they were doing, then show the jewelry, then ring someone up and then come back to that customer. Now, it’s just so much more customer friendly and if someone comes in asking for shoes, we can direct them right in there, instead of to 10 different places.”

Volunteer clerk Sue Elsasser (right) helps Kathy Folsom make a selection.
Williams said the addition will provide a boost to the church’s work in the community.
“The additional retail space gives us to opportunity to sell more merchandise and the more we sell here at The Bargain Basket, the more we get to contribute to organizations and people in need,” he said. “And the expansion of our parking behind the building is something that’s going to be a great blessing to our shoppers and our volunteers. They city has done such a nice job of working with us toward a solution to our parking needs and we couldn’t be more pleased.”
The Bargain Basket is located at 750 Bald Eagle Drive. For more information, visit ucmarco.org/the-bargain-basket or call 239-394-6640.
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