After living in Los Angeles for the past few years and being spoiled by the year-round yard sales, then living without them during the cold and moist Northwest winter, I'm super-excited for the start of Seattle-area yard sales. Last weekend, when we had zero obligations and I saw the forecast predicting sun and mild temperatures, on Friday night I hit up craigslist for a list of local garage sales.
Remember the old days when you had to scour the newspaper and pennysaver ads to find the garage sales in your area or just drive around looking for signs? Nowadays you can find out who's selling what in your neighborhood with just a few clicks on the Internet. Here's how:
Simply go to the Seattle-Tacoma area Craigslist, under the "for sale" section click on "garage sales" and in the "search for" section at the top, type in Renton. Viola! Now you have a list of all the sales near you, even some with detailed lists of their items, pictures, and (my favorite) Youtube video walk-throughs. You can even get specific and type in items that interest you. For example, I often type "Renton sewing" in the "search for" section to find people getting rid of sewing notions and fabric.
Find out what's happening in Rentonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
When you find some sales that interest you, open a new window on your computer and go to Mapquest, click on "Get Directions," start with your home address, then cut the addresses from craigslist and paste them into the destination boxes on Mapquest. By using the "+ Add Stop" feature you can list multiple stops and after reviewing it all on the map you can rearrange your destinations into a more logical route.
Now simply print out this route or type the addresses into your GPS and you're ready to go, but plan on getting sidetracked by signs you find along the way. It's a great way to see parts of Renton you've never been to before, meet your neighbors, connect with people in your community, and get some great deals!
Find out what's happening in Rentonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Last weekend the Fairwood/Cascade neighboorhood was where all the garage sale action was so I centered my route in that area. Even though I got lost (I'm sorry, but those streets are confusing!) I got some great stuff - vintage embroidered linens, sewing supplies, a few books and toys for my kids, and my favorite deals - a set of Return of the Jedi sheets for $1 and 3 vintage Butterprint Pyrex nesting bowls for THIRTY CENTS. It's true what they say - one person's trash is another person's treasure. Sewing supplies and Pyrex bowls and Star Wars memorablia may not be your thing, but I assure you if you look hard enough you'll find something you've always wanted, or never knew you needed.
This weekend (June 17, 18, and 19 from 9-3) is the annual Victoria Park Multi-Family Sale (a plug for my neighborhood, near Talbot Hill). Since we don't have a ton of stuff to sell we're only going to participate on Saturday, so on Friday and Sunday I'll be free to shop around the block. What better way is there to recycle and buy local at the same time?
