Sunday Showcase: Our staff looks at how garage sales grow into an important part of the Peninsula culture

As the sun warms the early morning air, hundreds of North Olympic Peninsula residents leave their homes in pursuit of bargains at garage sales.

For some a day of visiting garage sales is entertainment. A chance to mingle with friends and neighbors. If a treasure is found, it’s a bonus.

But, for others the search isn’t as lighthearted. Being first at the “best” sales is paramount so shoppers make maps of planned routes Garage sale ads in the classified section of the newspaper are an important tool. Key sales items are noted; buying strategies formulated.

Some bargains found at garage sales fill household needs, others become presents and many are sold at other sales.

The roles of buyer and seller are interchangeable with this week’s seller becoming next week’s treasure hunter.

Peninsula Daily News reporters Brian Gawley, Brenda Hanrahan, Jennifer Jackson, Jeff Chew and Jan Rodak prepared this in-depth look at this most basic form of commerce — the garage sale.

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