A Family Story Years in the Making
There’s something about walking into Treasures at Century Plaza that feels unique from the start. Maybe it’s the sense of discovery tucked into every booth, or the way each aisle invites you to slow down and look a little closer. It’s not just a place to shop—it’s a place to wander, to remember, and sometimes to find something you didn’t even know you were looking for.
For Bill and Barbie Rebsamen, that feeling is exactly the point. Now, as the new owners of Treasures at Century Plaza, they’re not just stepping into a business—they’re continuing something that has been part of their lives for years.
Barbie has been a vendor at Treasures for nearly eighteen years, and long before that, her mother was part of the store as both a vendor and a familiar face behind the counter. What started as a place to sell and shop gradually became something much more personal, something rooted in time spent together. “This place really did become like a second home,” Barbie says. “I could come up here, work my booth, visit with my mom, and just spend time in a place I loved.”
Over time, that connection only deepened, especially with the store’s previous owners, Rex and Darlene Montgomery, who built Treasures into what it is today. Somewhere along the way, a simple comment from Darlene stayed with Barbie longer than either of them likely expected.
“She told us that if they ever sold, she thought we should buy it,” Barbie says. “At the time, it just seemed like something kind to say, but it planted the seed. I’ve been praying and waiting patiently ever since.”
“This place really did become like a second home.”
When the opportunity finally came, the decision didn’t feel complicated. It felt clear.
“Purchasing Treasures at Century Plaza was one of those rare, no-hesitation, no-doubt decisions,” she says. “We didn’t have to overthink it. We just knew.”
Stepping into ownership has been, in many ways, a natural transition. With guidance from Rex Montgomery, whose vision shaped the business for more than two decades, Bill and Barbie have been able to carry forward what was already working while gradually making the space their own. They’re quick to credit not only that foundation, but also the people who stayed through the transition and helped them grow into their new roles.
At the center of it all is family. The store isn’t simply operated by Bill and Barbie—it’s shared across generations, each person playing a part in the day-to-day rhythm of the business. Balancing ownership with full-time careers, they rely on a strong support system—something they’re quick to credit for making it all possible.
“Bill and I both have full-time jobs outside of Treasures, so we truly couldn’t do this without them,” Barbie says. “This is definitely a family business. My mom still works the counter and is a wealth of knowledge, my dad has done everything from fixing leaks to taking out the trash, and our daughter helps out behind the counter as well. Even our grandkids pitch in. Our family have been there every step of the way, right along with the incredible staff that takes care of the day-to-day and have become like family”
That sense of involvement gives Treasures something you can’t quite manufacture. It’s not just the merchandise or the layout—it’s the feeling that the space is lived in, cared for, and constantly in motion. With more than 130 vendor booths, the store is filled with an ever-changing mix of items, each one reflecting the personality and passion of the person behind it. Vendors spend hours sourcing, traveling, and searching for pieces that are not only unique but meaningful. In many cases, the story behind an item is just as important as the item itself.
For customers, that means every visit is a little different.
“We always tell people to expect the unexpected,” Barbie says, and Bill likes to add, “You might come in looking for one thing and leave with something completely different—or something you didn’t even know you needed.”
“Purchasing Treasures at Century Plaza was one of those rare, no-hesitation, no-doubt decisions.”
Since taking ownership, Bill and Barbie have focused on enhancing the space without changing what people already love about it. Updates have been thoughtful rather than dramatic, including cosmetic improvements throughout the mall and uncovering features that had gone unused for years.
One of those discoveries was a hidden bathroom, now fully restored and functional. Another favorite addition is a newly created book room, filled with thousands of titles, comfortable seating, and complimentary coffee. It’s a space designed to invite people to slow down, settle in, and stay awhile.
“We wanted it to feel like a place where you could just enjoy being,” Barbie says. “Somewhere you don’t feel rushed, where you can take your time and really look around.”
That atmosphere—relaxed, welcoming, and just a little nostalgic—is what often turns a quick stop into something more meaningful. Many customers arrive looking for something specific, but what they find is often tied to memory.
“We see it all the time,” she says. “Someone will pick something up and say, ‘My grandmother had one just like this,’ or ‘This reminds me of when I was growing up.’ It becomes more than just buying something—it’s about remembering.”
Those moments are what stand out most. Barbie recalls watching a young girl celebrate her sixteenth birthday by shopping with her mother and sister, carefully deciding how to spend her birthday money. “She took her time and really thought about what she wanted,” Barbie says. “It wasn’t just about what she bought—it was the experience of being here with her family. That’s the kind of thing that sticks with you.”
Sometimes, the stories that unfold inside Treasures take on a life of their own. Not long ago, Barbie came across a schoolbook from around 1910 in the store’s lost and found. When she opened it, she recognized Bill’s family name—Rebsamen—written inside, along with the name Paul. “We eventually tracked down Paul Rebsamen’s grandson in Little Rock and were able to send the book to him. That was really special,” Barbie says.
“You might come in looking for one thing and leave with something completely different.”
Looking ahead, Bill and Barbie are focused on steady, thoughtful growth. With a waiting list for vendor booths, they’re exploring ways to expand within their existing space while continuing to introduce new ideas and offerings. At the same time, their commitment to the local community remains central to everything they do.
“We’re proud to be part of Fort Smith,” Barbie says. “There are so many great locally owned businesses here, and we love being one of the places where people can come shop small and find something unique.”
For a couple who were both born and raised in Fort Smith, and who will celebrate thirty-nine years of marriage this May, that connection to the community runs deep. It’s woven into their story, their relationships, and now, into the future they’re building together. And while there’s still work ahead, there’s also a clear picture of what that future might look like.
“My dream is that one day I can retire from nursing and just be here,” Barbie says. “I picture my mom and daughter behind the counter, my dad sitting in the book room reading a Louis L’Amour, and all of us just being together. That would be perfect.”
It’s a simple vision, but one that captures everything Treasures at Century Plaza has become—a place built on years of memories, shaped by the people who have been part of it, and carried forward by a family ready to continue the story.
Treasures at Century Plaza is located at 3702 Century Drive in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and is open 10a-5:30p Monday-Saturday and 1-5p on Sunday.
