To Narrowsburg I go

Worth the Trip, with Wanda Wayfarer

Who doesn’t like a good yard sale? Especially a year-round, indoor yard sale that has tens of thousands of items in every nook and cranny imaginable.

A unique stone building on the corner of Main Street and Erie Avenue in Narrowsburg, NY is home to The Yard Sale Store, a year-round discounter filled with an interesting and eclectic mix of goods. The building, a converted gas station complete with an original Ford foot stop at the entrance, overlooks Little Lake Erie. Attached is a huge wooden warehouse filled with “stuff.”

As we all know, the true joy of a yard sale lies in looking for those one-of-a-kind, can’t-live-without items. Usually, we don’t know what these are until we stumble upon them.

If it’s books you’re interested in, you’ve found the right place. In one large room are thousands of books stacked from floor to ceiling, both hardcover and paperback. The collection includes art books, cookbooks, fiction, non-fiction, bestsellers and everything else in between.

If it’s treasures you seek, based solely on resale value, you can find valuable pieces hidden within the packed store. Owner Jane Sloyer likes to place the valuable pieces among all else. Her motto is that a yard sale is based on a good deal.

The store’s selection offers prices affordable to anybody. Interestingly enough, Sloyer welcomes dealers.

The front of the store is filled with sterling silver, eclectic glassware, original oil paintings and furniture. I’m attracted to this room because of my love of jewelry and art.

The warehouse contains thousands of videos and records. If you’re into dressing up, the store is filled with evening gowns and show jewelry as well as purses of all shapes and sizes. And if you like to make things yourself, The Yard Sale Store has quite a collection of craft items.

If you’re into collecting Sloyer has a huge selection of old magazines and baseball cards. To find these priceless pieces, however, you must look through the crowded shelves and brimming baskets of inexpensive goods. It’s a game of treasure hunt.

In the very back of The Yard Sale Store is a special shed filled with clothes. I’m always in the mood for a bargain when it comes to clothes and shoes. The modest-sized shed is filled with pants, skirts, shirts and leather jackets. It’s another opportunity to look, and trust me, ye’ shall find.

Sloyer is constantly bringing items in to attract anybody who believes in the value of the dollar. Every year that she’s been here she has carried more items and expanded the store’s organization. Fall 2005 she will install heating in the store in order to remain open year-round.

One of the priceless touches at the store comes when you are ready to check out. Sloyer mentally rings up your purchases and gives you a great deal. About half of the store’s items have no price tags on them. This shouldn’t cause you any worry; the deals are fantastic.

The Yard Sale Store is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. There is no phone in the store so you’ll have to take my word that this is a true local gem.

Happy searching!