Special finds at 2nd Hand Store

For some people, going to a secondhand store can be daunting; however, for others, it's a treasure trove of unique finds.

No matter how you feel, the Wasco 2nd Hand Store has an eclectic collection of items likely to meet some need.

Owner Maria Valdez is at the store Monday-Friday, sometimes from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and her son Miguel Valdez is there to help her when he is done with his Bakersfield College classes for the day. He is the youngest of three and he helps his mom out with the store during the weekdays.

Maria was born in Temastian, Jalisco, Mexico. Miguel was born in Bakersfield and was educated in Wasco schools. He is currently studying engineering at BC.

"Sometimes I go by bus to school and other times my friend will drive. I don't have a car, yet," Miguel said in a teasing voice while smiling at his mother.

Miguel confessed that he wants to go away to college – either to Fresno State or California State University, Northridge, where his two older sisters are students – but his mother doesn't want him to go.

"My mom doesn't want me to leave home," Miguel confessed. "I have a license, but my mother won't let me drive when we visit our family."

Miguel was Maria's translator during the interview, but she understood several questions in English.

The store is small in size but carries a variety of items such as crock pots still in their boxes, glassware, dishes, clothing and a lot of pictures hanging on the walls.

In front of the store are different pieces of furniture. A customer came in and dropped off a Hello Kitty piece of luggage in tip-top shape, ready for display.

A couple different kinds of barstools also sit in front of the store. Two tall ones made of dark wood with soft and cushy riveted leather seats are going for $20 each. On the other side of the front door is a stack of tall, black enamel barstools, which are numbered seven and being sold individually for $20 apiece.

"Mom collects most of her items at yard sales in Bakersfield," Miguel said. "Most of our items are donated."

Miguel said that furniture is the biggest seller. Inside the store is a tall, dark wood chest of drawers – taller than 5-foot-4.

There are filled clothing racks and a large selection of neatly folded jeans to choose from.

Maria greets everyone who enters the store with a warm hola, while Miguel works behind thescenes to organize the contents.

The store is located at 540 F St., but if you aren't careful, you could miss it. Store hours are from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and their phone number is 661-747-0185. Before driving to the store, be sure to call to make sure it's open because 11 a.m. isn't an absolute.

"The owner might be selling the building in the next year," Miguel said. "We will find another location."