Gems Donation Station, the second-hand store located at 534 Allegheny Blvd. just outside of Franklin, is in its last week of sales before it closes permanently on Saturday. Owner Ellen Gierlach posted on the store’s Facebook page that the decision was made “after careful consideration” and due to personal family reasons with many factors, and she expressed her sadness at the change. The store, which Gierlach started as a way to help people by keeping the proceeds within Venango County to benefit the area, opened in April 2019 in the building formerly occupied by the Salvation Army in Sugarcreek. “I know that each individual and family that has received help in their time of need has received that help from my family and our staff with respect and dignity,” Gierlach said in a Facebook post Wednesday on the Gems page. “I want to say thank you to our staff and customers that have made this journey with us.”
Gems Donation Station closing
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