The Emporium Vintage and Fine Furnishings

Phala White, a long-time volunteer at The Emporium in downtown Las Cruces, is, by her own admission, “a great polisher.”

She loves shining up the silver donated to The Emporium, finding the name and date on each piece, and “seeing it come to life.”

White is one of 25 volunteers – 23 women and two men – who operate The Emporium, 106 S. Water St., five days a week. Since it opened June 30, 2015, the antiques and collectibles store has generated thousands of dollars a month (for Mesilla Valley Hospice).

The Emporium relies entirely on donations from the community: the silver beloved by White; the linens that are the favorite of another long-time volunteer, Bonnie; the china favored by Emporium co-founder Heather Pollard; and much more, including antiques, mint-condition furniture, jewelry, dishes, artwork, glassware and collectibles.

“The community has been incredibly kind,” said Pollard, who came up with the idea for The Emporium after visiting a similar store in Phoenix.

“We thought it was a good idea,” said Pollard, who was one of four original Emporium volunteers, along with Joanne Achen, Billie Taylor and Lanova Sheets. The goal was to raise money for MVH without competing with other local nonprofits and second-hand stores. Pollard and other community leaders organized a capital campaign more than decade ago that raised $1 million for MVH. Pollard was among the founders of MVH in 1982, and was a long-time MVH board member.

“People have donated some of their most beautiful pieces to The Emporium,” Pollard said, as they have downsized, changed their home décor, moved house or liquidated the estates of deceased family members.

The Emporium’s 2,000 square feet houses a constantly changing inventory that fills four rooms. The building is owned by Sandra and Tony Espiritu, who are “great owners and stewards,” Pollard said.

 “People understand what we are. They are happy to donate and spend their money here,” White said, adding that every piece that comes into The Emporium “may have its own story.”

Volunteers at The Emporium donate their time to run it but are also among its regular customers. The only caveat is, an item has to be available for public sale in the store for two weeks before a volunteer can buy it at its regular price.

“My house is so full,” said Pollard, who has purchased five sets of china from The Emporium, along with furniture and other items.

“I can’t resist a fine tablecloth,” said Schurtz.

“Come and shop,” Schurtz said. “You never know what treasures you might find.”

The Emporium is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday. One hundred percent of its proceeds goes to MVH.

For more information about donations to The Emporium and for other questions, call (575) 523-8078. Visit mvhospice.org/emporium.

Faces & Places 2026 is the inaugural edition of our new lifestyle magazine. Combined with the fall edition, titled Life is Good in Las Cruces, it is filled with feature content about the people, places, and events that make southern New Mexico special.