Mt . Lebanon Trading Post has been a perennial staple of the community for more than 70 years . By Paul Glasser
Until recently , very little has changed at the Mt . Lebanon Trading Post and it has remained a social hub for volunteers and customers for more than 70 years . Founded during World War II , local school officials created the trading post so that mothers in the area could exchange rationed items , including rubber products and clothes . A committee ran the trading post during the war , which was only open three days a week and relied on 30 volunteers .
Kathy Pattak , current president of the Mt . Lebanon Trading Post , says the organization quickly expanded to include more volunteers and began to sell other items on consignment in order to meet expenses after World War II ended . Every year , the Trading Post donates its proceeds to local charities selected by its volunteers .
“ The store has been in business for so long because people , particularly the volunteers , believe in the mission ,” Pattak says .
The Mt . Lebanon Trading Post relocated several times since it was founded , but has been at 1604 Potomac Avenue in Dormont since 1985 . The name has stayed the same because its reputation is strong . That shows how residents have come to rely on the Trading Post , not only for gently used items but also as a social center .
“ Many of our customers and consignors have been with us for a very long time ,” Pattak explains . “ They come to the store not only to shop but also to see the volunteers who have become their friends .
The volunteers feel the same way about the customers . Sometimes customers are here for 30 minutes without purchasing anything — just chatting about their families or other things going on in their lives .”
Everyone who works at the Trading Post is a volunteer and many have been with the organization for decades . Pattak says the oldest volunteer is 93 and has been involved with the Trading Post for more than 40 years . However , the Trading Post is always looking for additional volunteers who want to become a cashier or receiver . Pattak says she also wants to find an expert who could help create a website for the Trading Post .
“ I would hope the website would give the store a wider audience in a broader community and therefore increase the number of consignors and customers ,” Pattak explains . “ We would be able to post things on a website that we can ’ t put on a Facebook page so that prospective consignors could find the operational rules and other store information without having to come to the store .”
Like many other volunteers at the Trading Post , Pattak first entered the store as a consignor . She became a volunteer after she retired from teaching for 38 years . Although it ’ s a very different role , Pattak became president of the Trading Post in 2015 and enjoys working with the volunteers and promoting the Trading Post . As president , she has learned new marketing and networking skills .
12 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Keystone Oaks