PORT ANGELES — There are conga drums. Large Yamaha speakers. A tiny porch swing.
These are among the robust offerings gathered for the Port Angeles Farmers Market Basement Sale being held Saturday in the basement of Country Aire Natural Foods, 200 W. First St.
The inaugural basement sale — a fundraiser for the nonprofit farmers market — promises furniture, books, clothing, jewelry, kitchen implements and plenty more from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, all accessible from Country Aire’s rear parking lot.
Those congas are priced at $125 each. Beside them is a complete sound system with the big, black, old-fashioned speakers donated by none other than Port Angeles Farmers Market manager Cynthia Warne.
“I paid $1,500 for this, and I’m letting it go for $275,” she said.
There’s also a table laden with clothing, where shoppers can stuff a grocery bag full and pay $5.
Nearby is a small collection of doll house furniture, including that petite porch swing.
When asked how long she’s been preparing for the basement sale, Warne replied, “my whole life.”
Seriously, though, plans started last year for a fundraiser in March because, she said, not many people have yard sales this time of year.
Finding a home for Saturday’s sale wasn’t simple, though.
Farmers market vendor Christie Johnston went to just about every downtown business, “but nobody would let us use their space,” said Warne.
Nobody except Country Aire, the big grocery store in the former Gottschalks building at First and Oak streets.
General manager Josh Rancourt said yes, and Warne and crew opened the basement door to donations.
Country Aire has the same goal — and produce — as the farmers market, Rancourt said: “We really want to foster an environment for a flourishing downtown,” where local food is available.
A steady stream of stuff has flowed into the basement, as Port Angeles Farmers Market board members, including Devon Beck, Helen Freilich and Sharah Truett, got busy sorting and arranging.
“Country Aire has stuff to sell, too,” said Warne, nodding to the leftover Gottschalks fixtures and racks.
She wasn’t finished showing off basement sale highlights.
“We have tons of Christmas decorations,” Warne said. “And I donated two leather jackets.”
As for the merchandise that doesn’t sell, Warne said the Serenity House Thrift Store crew will come over to collect it late Saturday.
It’ll be a doubly busy day for Warne and company. Port Angeles’ market, one of the few year-round farmers markets in Washington state, will go on as usual from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday under The Gateway Pavilion at Front and Lincoln streets.
For more about the weekly gathering of vendors, see FarmersMarketPortAngeles.com or phone Warne at 360-460-0361.
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Features Editor Diane Urbani de la Paz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5062, or at diane.urbani@peninsuladailynews.com.
