Trees require vitamins and minerals to thrive, and ample sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to maintain healthy, leafy branches. Most importantly, a tree needs sturdy roots for support, burrowed deep into nutrient-rich soil, so the tree can flourish.
Malibu’s Artifac Tree Manager Martha Templeton has been on the hunt for the perfect place to plant new roots after the thrift shop’s doors closed in late July.
“We’ve looked at Country Liquor, but the parking is impossible, and … it’s not a permanent fix,” Templeton said.
An eviction notice served to the Artifac Tree by the Mariposa Land Company on June 16 ordered the business to vacate within 60 days, and any remaining items left on the premises to stay with the land.
On July 25, the Artifac Tree opened and closed its gates to customers one last time, before locking all remaining donated items into storage containers while Templeton continued the hunt for a new location to serve the community. A new location for the Artifac Tree has yet to be determined, with customers still unknowingly showing up to locked gates.
“A lot of students have been coming in this week,” Templeton said. “They didn’t know we closed. They’re looking for dishes for their rooms, clothes, anything …”
Known for being more than just a second-hand store, Templeton and the Artifac Tree have assisted homeless in the area with shelter, clothing and healthcare, supported students at nearby schools with meals and basic toiletries, provided families in need of additional assistance during a crisis, provided monetary support for animals requiring care or simply employment opportunities to mentally challenged individuals.
Templeton has been busy pounding the pavement, scouting locations for the new Artifac Tree, including areas near Malibu West, studios, nurseries, vacant businesses, canyon homes and old estates.
An online fundraising campaign to help the Artifac Tree raised more than $1,000, in addition to a $5,000 contribution from Whole Foods and the Park and developer Steve Soboroff.
“I think that it’s a great resource for Malibu and I hope they find a new location,” Soboroff said in a previous interview with The Malibu Times. “When they do, I know how expensive it is to move and get everything going. The Whole Foods and the Park is going to make a contribution of $5,000 toward the relocation, and I hope that other people in the community do the same.”
Templeton remains optimistic for the Artifac Tree to plant new roots in Malibu, including a prospective location in eastern Malibu.
“The owner [of this potential location] told me a story about losing and finding these vinyl records … and the Artifact Tree had them!”
With a small booth at the 34th annual Malibu Kiwanis Chili Cook-Off, thousands of visitors had the chance to see a few of the pieces for sale through the Artifac Tree, in addition to hearing about the Tree’s mission to reopen and continue helping the community in and around Malibu.
Templeton hopes thousands more will see and feel the Artifac Tree’s spirit at its booth at the Malibu Lion’s Club 38th Annual Malibu Marketplace on Sunday, Sept. 27.
A new venue for the Artifac Tree to grow may not yet be set, but the possibilities are only growing, Templeton said.
“I’m not going to just stop,” Templeton said. “I’m still a volunteer at heart.”
