Betty Schopp is the last one living from the group who started Granny's Attic 40 years ago. They opened the thrift store to carry on the legacy of "grandma" Marie Hansbauer after she died in 1985.
By Lorrie Ross
Staff Writer
When an elderly missionary woman arrived in the mountains of far western North Carolina almost 60 years ago, she could not have imagined her legacy would still be helping the folks of Clay County today. Yet the work of Marie Hansbauer lives on.
Granny’s Attic, a thrift store in Hayesville, not only carries the name of the woman many people called grandma, but it continues her impact of helping the local community The store offers lots of items at fair prices and the 501c3 non-profit provides grants to agencies and other groups who recognize the needs and help Clay County residents.
In 2025, the small thrift store with lots of heart will celebrate 40 years. So the hard-working volunteers who operate the store are inviting the community for a celebration on Saturday, May 10. From the time the doors open at 10 a.m. until they close at 2 p.m., there will be fun, refreshments, free giveaways and prize drawings every hour at 11, 12, 1 and 2.
A framed group portrait hangs in Granny’s Attic. Dated Feb. 17, 1985, several smiling folks stand in front of their new thrift store, located where the Clay Chamber of Commerce stands today. However, the story began before that.
Known as “grandma” to many people, Hansbauer had promised God she would dedicate her life to his work if he would find a good wife for her son. Her son married and Granny kept her promise by contacting Glenmary Catholic Home Missionaries, later known as Good Shepherd Home Health and Hospice. In 1967, at 74, she retired from nursing and traveled from her hometown in Ohio to Murphy where she became a parishioner of St. William Church. It was there, Father Roland Hautz asked Granny Hansbauer to minister to the needy and oversee the rummage at his Hayesville mission.
Hansbauser rented a house, but was forced to change location seven times. Two of the relocations were because landlords did not want Catholics. Finally, some neighbors suggested she use her own basement for the rummage. For years, granny administered to people of any religion, race and economic status. Many people from various faiths attested to her Christian example of life because of the love she exhibited to everyone.
Her annual Christmas parties for impoverished children of Clay and Cherokee County became well known. Granny would collect school children’s names and her hometown friends in Cincinnati would help ensure each child received a personal wrapped gift.
In addition, she opened her home to unwed mothers, battered spouses, people living with alcoholism and anyone in need. She also counseled them with love, prayer and understanding. When Hansbauer died in 1985 at the age of 92, she left behind a big imprint in the local community of helping others.
Betty Schopp shared more of the group’s history. As the only original member of granny’s still living, Schopp was out of town when the 1985 photo was taken, but she remembers what led up to it. “Granny rented space on the side of the old Dutch Hutch restaurant on Highway 64,” Schopp explained. “There were dirt floors and it was small, but did not cost much.” Eventually, granny’s health began to fail and she was not able to work as much.
“A long time ago, there was a thrift store in the downstairs of the Masonic Lodge,” Schopp continued. “It was called the Merry-Go-Round.” Schopp said it closed and a handful of women from it asked her to be part of the group to open Granny’s Attic in honor of Hansbauer’s work. Organizers opened Granny’s Attic on June 13, 1985.
It was open for several years in the current chamber site, but needed more space, according to Schopp. They have been in their current location beside Subway for many years, but are again feeling growing pains.
Board member Debbie Thrower said, “granny’s is run by dedicated volunteers who have raised monies to help numerous people in the area.” At press time, the group had 43 names on its active volunteer list.
Schopp no longer actively volunteers, but she complimented the group. “Most are retired and they deserve every accolade,” she smiled. “It was a privilege for me to work with them. It was wonderful.”
Granny’s Attic 2025-2026 officers are president Beverly Loyd, vice-president Sharon Darcy, treasurer Sandy McGinnis, secretary Karen Robinson, Cathy Andrews, Lee Brown, Margaretanne Fineo, Linda Kennedy, Linda Miller, Betty Pritchard, Cathy Stiles and Debbie Thrower.
Granny’s Attic has treasures of all kinds, from vintage and collectibles to household items and clothing for the whole family. “Everything but furniture,” the volunteers say. They accept donations during the hours they are open.
Located at 200 Hwy 64 W in Hayesville, the store is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Like Granny's Attic Thrift Store on Facebook to see other special sales and events.