By Trish McClellan
More than two decades had passed since Mickey and Ed Harbin joined hearts and hands. It wasn’t long before the two became a party of five with the pitter-patter of six tiny feet—first Rachel, followed by son Andrew, and then the surprise baby, Sarah.
Mickey poured herself into raising and nurturing her children. “My children were my world,” Mickey recalled. With her youngest finally in school, she became the quintessential school volunteer. She signed up as a Room Mom, worked in the school library, and served in the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), which led to an integral role with the school band.
Life was planned around her children’s schedules, which any parent will tell you is a feat when you have three children in different grades. But she was determined and soon became a familiar face within the Bleckley County School System.
As her children grew older and their lives became busier, Mickey found herself facing a season many parents know well—the empty nest. As Reba McEntire famously sang, Mickey began to wonder, Is there life out there beyond her family and her home? That question sparked determination.
She felt a new stirring—one that would soon lead her down an unexpected path into business ownership. Mickey noticed the abundance of local talent—from woodworkers and artists to crafters and purveyors of healthy foods. What if she could bring them together under one roof?
With nothing but a dream and steadfast trust that God would lead, Mickey’s dream gave birth to Treasures on Second, and she signed the lease on her first brick-and-mortar store—then went home and told Ed about her idea. “Oh, by the way,” she said, “I signed a lease today on the space for my store.”
She began praying for at least six vendors to join her. God provided twelve. A local pharmacy moving to a new space donated shelves and racks, and someone gave her office furniture from a remodel.
Initially, her idea was to open a seasonal store from October to December. But the response was so strong that the shop quickly became a year-round business. She outgrew her first space, and before long, her God-led dream took root on the corner of Second and Beach.
Today, Mickey Harbin’s shop stands as more than a store—it is a gathering place for local artisans and a testament to faith, courage, and community. What began as one mother’s dream has become a thriving business rooted in purpose, providence, and possibility.
Mickey believes that anyone’s dream can become reality if you are willing to put in the hard work to get there. It won’t be free, cheap, or easy—but it will be a blessing.
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