The Nevada native opened Things N’ Stuffs on Sept. 1. Her store, which sells anything from a microwave to a Halloween costume, can be found at 407 Gilmore St., across from the town’s Post Office. The store, which used to be home to an insurance office, sits near the Pocahontas and Humboldt county line.

Under its red roof is about 500 square feet of space. Some of the shelves hold beer steins. Others hold unicorn plushies.

“Our motto is things for people who want more stuffs,” Harke said.

She got the idea for the variety store while recovering from a car accident she was in about a year ago.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
An assortment of Halloween decorations and costumes are for sale at Things N' Stuffs in Gilmore City.

“I was on my way to work, it was snowing and I hit black ice,” Harke said.

“I have a lovely scar to prove it,” she added, pointing to her right shoulder.

Harke had surgery Aug. 10. During her down time, she got to thinking about opening a store. Later, she drove by Gilmore Street and spotted a small building that she saw as a perfect fit.

“We used to have a shop in Nevada and thought it would be a good investment for my money,” Harke said.

She operates the shop with a little help from Robin Taylor and Therese Harke, of Rolfe.

“Tishara is the owner,” said Therese Harke. “We are the moms helping her build her business.”

What makes the store an attractive visit is the low prices, according to Therese Harke.

“Everything in the store we try to keep 50 to 70 percent off normal retail,” she said.

The group acquires their product by purchasing pallets from Amazon and Walmart, said Therese Harke, who holds bachelor’s degrees in accounting (University of Iowa) and business management (University of Nevada, Las Vegas)

“We have microwaves, makeup, vacuum cleaners, Halloween costumes, clothing, dog supplies, fishing gear, ice cream makers, exercise stuff, diaper cakes, clothing,” she said.

“A little of everything,” Taylor added.

There’s also a dollar bin that has things like phone cases and key rings.

The three make the most of the space they have.

“It’s a small building but perfect size for what we are doing,” Taylor said.

Therese Harke said the store was something “sorely needed” for the area. And the community has been welcoming.

“We really like how the town has embraced us from the second we planned to open the shop,” Therese Harke said. “They invited us to townhall meetings and everything.”

Things N’ Stuffs has become a popular spot for kids after school.

“We have kids that come in every day after school,” Therese Harke said. “We have candies and gum. We don’t mind the kids coming in as long as they behave and for the most part they do.”

In the short time of having been open, the store has built up at least a few loyal customers.

“We have a couple ladies who come in every week just to see what we have,” Therese Harke said.

The three are happy to be part of the community.

“We are starting a program to showcase some artwork for the local kids.” Therese Harke said. “So they can get some exposure and people can see what they can do.”

Tishara Harke moved to Iowa in 2015. Therese Harke and Taylor have been back since 2018. They were also previously living in Nevada.

Taylor appreciates the small town lifestyle.

“It is so much more mellow,” Taylor said. “It’s quiet and you can breathe. You aren’t tight all the time. We like the little towns. After being in Vegas, it’s hustle and bustle. At first it was a culture shock but I wouldn’t go back.”

Tishara Harke wasn’t willing to go that far.

“Not gonna lie,” she said. “I kind of miss it.”

But she is pleased with her current setup.

“We have a tiny little slice of paradise,” Tishara Harke said. “Come check it out.”

Things N’ Stuffs is open seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.