Full Disclosure
We were in no way compensated for this post about Needful Things. We just felt strongly in our adventures in shopping at this locally owned gem of a store, that we wanted to share it with anyone that would enjoy this type of shopping also.
We need to share our treasures from a most awesome thrift store that has brought us so much joy and many smiles every time we drive by or just think about it. With vintage items on the walls and the showcases full of treasures, it brings great memories from my past to life.
Everyone knows you can usually find good stuff for great prices at the Good Will and the Deseret Industries, but this store, my friends, if you are in the Salt Lake City area, is a GEM! The owner is Francis Cousineau. He has many rooms full of wonder to explore! Myself and my wife were floored by all he had in every nook and cranny. Even though he has everything under the sun, I want to tell you about his awesome selection of tools and car paraphernalia he has. The first time we found this store I found a micrometer in one of his glass cases. He pulled it out for me to inspect and when I inquired about the price he told me that he would come down on the price $20 because he keeps an eye on eBay and the micrometers like the one he had were going for the original price he told us but he would like to be more competitive so he gave us a better deal. He admitted he didn’t really know what a micrometer did but he knew mechanics use them.
Ice bucket
This is the first tool I bought from him.
Vintage outside Micrometer
Vintage towel ring
Vintage shakers
Vintage shakers
Vintage Alarm Clock
Vintage Alarm clock
We spent about 2 hours there that first visit. He has SO MANY TREASURES!! And it’s not just awesome vintage items, he also has new and modern decor and furniture, etc., but I digress. My story is about what I found here automotive and tool wisely. He has bins full of 1/4″ drive sockets. He was cool with me sitting on the floor and letting me dig and pick through all of them so I could find only the ones I needed. I also picked up some adapters, I really don’t think you can have too many of them. My wife found some vintage salt and pepper shakers and a flower towel holder and a vintage corded phone and some other items. He let us start a pile of items we were going to buy on one of his counters. When we finally got to the front of the store, he was excited to show me some massive tire mechanic and farmer wrenches ( spud wrenches ) he had just got in. He didn’t really know for sure, that’s why he wanted me to see them. We didn’t end up buying any of THOSE that time but we did come back a few weeks later to buy some of them.
Vintage towel ring
Spud wrenches used mostly by heavy-duty mechanics, farmers, and tire mechanics
Misc Sockets to help restock my toolboxes.
These types of sockets are hard to find. Nowadays they’re nice to have in your box if you could find them.
Still restocking other boxes.
a like-new craftsman toolbox
Vintage dial phone
A Large bin of misc screwdrivers
Misc item
A lot of different styles of lamps your choice.
A bin full of Large drill bits
R2-D2 star wars toys
Portable Jumpstarter
2 cycle gas generator
Lots of misc hand tools you’ll never know what will be here. But it’s always exciting to find out what’s here every time.
Car parts
Misc bins full of misc goodies
Battery Jumper cables
Other Auto parts
A large bin is full of Large Sockets.
Misc Allen wrenches & a speed wrench.
Misc tools
Kids toys
Cool vintage popcorn machine
Vintage electronic devices
Vintage Lamps
Misc household chemicals
Misc other chemicals
Old film viewer
Cabinets & other great furniture items
Misc furniture
other vintage goodies
crazy games
Books and magazines
Or nick nacks
Kitchenware
When we came back the next trip I also found myself a set of vintage wheel covers from a ’65 Oldsmobile that was my first car that my parents bought at a yard sale in the mid-’80s for $50.00. The owner couldn’t get the car running because he couldn’t figure out the timing direction & firing order on it while doing a tune-up. My dad had a bit of a hard time also with it until one time he took the distributor cap off and he had me turn over the engine and it rotated backward, like Ford.
I was so excited when this one time we walked into his store and seen these up on his wall. I thought It was so meant to be for me to find them.
Lots of great used and NEW toys to pick from this place is a gold mine of gifts or just a SUPER Shopping experience.
So many items to pick from it’s so hard to decide what to pick out for yourself or give as gifts.
Vintage cookware or eye candy
Collectible toys such as Cars or planes, trains, whatever you can imagine you can find it here.
Hot Wheels or matchbox cars start your collection here or search for those others you may not have!
Too many toys but you and your kids may love it here.
Lots of great memorabilia And sports stuff
Holiday stuff too.
Much more to discover when shopping here! we never know what we’ll find but it’s the pure enjoyment of just going in and saying hi to Francis is so worth it.
Francis is also good about keeping an eye out for a particular item that someone is looking for. Super nice guy and he’s got great stories! It is such a fun place to look through! You REALLY need to check this place out! Like them on Facebook.
Needful Things
4772 South State Street
Murray, UT, 84107
Mon-Sat 11 -6
801-793-8163
