SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (KNEP) – Since Nebraska Passport season kicked off May 1st, the owners of Scottsbluff’s downtown antique store Tossed and Found say they have had customers in from all across the country.
After applying for the Nebraska Passport List three times, Sheryl Harvey and Mary Skiles’ Tossed and Found finally earned a coveted spot on the List this year. The antique shop is now one of the 70 Nebraska destinations drawing travelers from across the United States looking to get their passports stamped.
“We’ve also had some people from Colorado,” Skiles said. “It’s interesting to us how several of the locals that have come in have said ‘this is the first time we’ve been in here.’ So, that’s great.”
As high schoolers, Harvey and Skiles promised each other that, one day, they would co-found their very own antique shop. After college, they each pursued different careers, started families and, finally, after raising their children, the long-time friends made it happen.
“We’ve always kind of dreamed of doing this,” Skiles said. “But [Harvey] was an elementary and middle school teacher and I was a dietician, diabetes educator. We always talked about, when we were done raising our kids, we were going to take this new adventure on. And, you know, sometimes you just kind of talk about those things and you really don’t think they’ll happen. And it did.”
Among the shop’s Friday customers was U.S. Representative Adrian Smith for Nebraska’s 3rd District. Congressman Smith says he visits the store often with his family and respects the owners for what they have accomplished in making the store a staple in the community and for Nebraska.
“There are gems like this all across Nebraska and certainly this one really stands out here in our community and across the state,” Congressman Smith said. “I really encourage everyone to get out and make a visit to local businesses that, I know, people from out of state love to come to places like this. So, it’s a great opportunity for Nebraskans to take advantage of as well.”
