In 1959 a group of concerned community women opened a thrift shop and started selling items that were donated by the group. The women saw a need for counseling services in the community. Some of the members were trained as counselors and worked in the community helping with family problems. Eventually, the group became an auxiliary to the Family Service Association of Butte and Glenn counties, a nonprofit organization, providing professional counseling for a small fee. This group came to be known as the Family Service League, and the thrift shop became The Discovery Shoppe. The proceeds from the shop were donated to the family service association. These proceeds from sales were supplemented by monetary contributions, memorials, a bridge tournament and moving/estate sales.
The Discovery Shoppe has been in continuous operation since 1959, and has been in several different locations. In 1964 a small red house at 315 Flume St. was purchased for approximately $14,000, and was fully paid off in three years. In the spring of 1973 it was determined the charming little house was too frail to be repaired and made fit for public use as a retail facility. The little house was then moved to 19th St. and a new building was erected on the original site. Business during construction was conducted across the street at 330 Flume. The new building was completed and opened in December of 1973. No business days were lost.
