Trenton Gift Shop Offers Award-Winning Chocolates, Midwest-Made Candles

With Christmas only days away, the , located at 2503 W. Jefferson Ave. in downtown Trenton, is the perfect place to pick up last-minute gifts and treats.

The Riverside Treasure Shoppe offers special gifts like holiday ornaments, tote bags, jewelry, gift baskets and children’s toys and books.

The store also sells award-winning gourmet chocolates from the Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company, retro treats from Old Time Candy, candles from the Swan Creek Candle Company and coffee from Costa Rican coffee producer Cafe Britt.

Owner Brian Raboczkay said he needed something else to do with his time after he retired from the city of Taylor last year. On Aug. 15, he and his wife opened the Riverside Treasure Shoppe.

The store had previously been an antiques shop and then a wedding chapel before the two purchased and renovated it.

“(My wife and I) were looking around for places, and this property was for sale by the bank; it needed a lot of work done,” Raboczkay said. “We wanted to do a gift shop or an art gallery, but it turned out to be a combination. … We had the candy and stuff put in, and it just sort of evolved. This house was just sort of suited for the old-time candy and chocolates.”

The store is run by Raboczkay and his wife, but he said their four children occasionally help out.

On the second floor of the Riverside Treasure Shoppe is a gallery where local artists sell their work.

“I have 50 different artists upstairs selling on consignment,” he said. “There’s a big variety of stuff, whether people are decorating their homes or looking for a gift. Support the local art community.”

Raboczkay said that while his family is from Taylor, he enjoys having the business in Trenton because “it’s really safe around here.”

“People can walk around outside and not have to worry, (and) that’s the biggest thing,” he said. “And the people are really friendly and nice in the area, too.”

Raboczkay said the candy, chocolates and candles are among the store’s best-selling items. The candles and American Expedition-brand gift items are on sale for the holiday, and the Riverside Treasure Shoppe offers coupons on its Facebook page.

Raboczkay said what sets his store apart from other gift shops in the Downriver area is “the charm of it and the unique items that we have. We have a combination of both handmade items and unique items.”

The Riverside Treasure Shoppe’s holiday hours are 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. Mondays thru Saturdays, and noon until 5 p.m. on Sundays until Christmas.