SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — A small wooden box outside of the Westcott Barber Shop is filled with trinkets that change everyday. There is an assortment of toys, keychains, hair clips and more to choose from. However, when you take one, it is custom to leave something for another person to find in this treasure trove.
The new Syracuse Trinket Trade Box sits outside of the Westcott Barber Shop on Westcott Street. Melissa Hayes and Doug Spangenberg, the owners of the shop, created the box together. The trinkets are not just for clients of the Westcott Barber Shop and their kids, it is for everyone in the Syracuse community.
“We have kids, we have students, and the Westcott area in particular is such a really close bonded, kind of [tight] knit community. So, I thought it would be perfect to like, just bring a little joy to people,” said Hayes.
The community has been receptive to the new trinket trading box. Monica Graciani Castillo, a Syracuse resident, enjoys trinket trading at the Westcott Street location.
“I’m someone who has a lot of little trinkets, so it’s such a fun way to give things I have to someone else who might love them,” said Castillo. “What I really enjoy is that it brings people together through something so simple and fun.”
The community response to the trinket box surprised both Hayes and Spangenberg.
“My husband and I were just talking last night, he was like ‘Did you ever think that it would be this thing?’ And I was like, ‘Absolutely not,” said Hayes.
The box remains fully stocked. Hayes gives her husband trinkets to add to the box when he is at the barber shop. In addition, plenty of participants are leaving behind more trinkets than they took.
“I was kind of expecting to like, be the one that has to refill it kind of frequently,” said Hayes. “Like, people are being very reasonable and fair and honestly, even overly giving.”
The Syracuse Trinket Trade box is registered with Worldwide Sidewalk Joy, which is a map to locate public displays. The site’s goal is to inspire and connect the community by sharing where Free Little Art Galleries, Puzzle Exchanges, Toy Swaps and more can be found. Here’s a list of other displays in the Central New York area:
- Scott Ave Swap – Syracuse, N.Y.
- The Book Burrow + Trinket Exchange – Lafayette, N.Y.
- Herman Drive Trinket Trade – North Syracuse, N.Y.
The Syracuse Trinket Trade Box has piqued the interest of other businesses in the area. Hayes hopes to eventually expand and have Spangenberg build more.
“My husband actually built the box himself. So, if we do expand, he can build the boxes which is nice,” said Hayes.
These trinkets may be small, but can have a big impact on the community.
“People kind of have a pessimistic attitude about Syracuse sometimes, that like, oh, it’s never going to work there, because x,y,z. It’s been amazing giving people in Syracuse a chance to like, to prove you right that this is a nice place and we have a beautiful community and all sorts of stuff,” said Hayes.