Brenda McCoy turned her love of "treasure hunting" into a business three years ago, and has opened her second Brenda's New To You store in downtown Tiffin.
"I've always been a treasure hunter all my life," she said. "I've always gone to Goodwills, garage sales, auctions, looking for the treasure."
She and husband, Steve, of Tiffin, opened their first store in Findlay three years ago and decided to expand when they noticed a lack of used furniture outlets in Tiffin.
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PHOTO BY VICKI JOHNSON
Brenda McCoy with a few items available at her new store, Brenda’s New To You, 186 S. Washington St.
"When I saw Goodwill was moving, I thought, 'That's perfect,'" she said. "It's nice and big, and it has convenient parking right around the corner."
She said the store is four times as big as the one in Findlay.
The store, 186 S. Washington St., features all types of furniture and plenty of other items.
"I just never know what I'm going to have," she said. "You might see one thing one day and something completely different next week."
She mainly collects treasures to stock her store by attending auctions and estate sales, but sometimes finds items at garage sales.
McCoy said she has been known to buy estates sometimes, but that isn't her main business. She also buys individual items she can use in her store, but not often from people who walk in the front door without notice.
"It's not just used furniture," she said. "You can find antiques from estate sales, a lawn mower from the garage pots and pans, pictures, lamps, appliances.
Antiques are priced accordingly, but people can find other home furnishing at good prices.
"I'm reasonable I think," she said. " At least that's what I hear."
Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, but McCoy said she might adjust to fit her customers' needs.
"It was a dream," she said. "I turned my hobby into a business. I am definitely not getting rich. It's hard work, but I enjoy it.
"Now I can put some treasure into other people's lives too," she said.
