Justice and Diane Salazar were starting to be called professional yard sale vendors by their neighbors. Only they usually held the sales inside their home. The couple, who live on the Sammamish Plateau, talked about opening a store for years, and they finally have done just that.
On May 24, they opened Forgotten Treasures Gifts and Thrift Shoppe in Issaquah. They chose Issaquah because more people come down from the Plateau to shop than the other way around. Easy access off of I-90 was also a factor, Diane said.
Justice Salazar was a journeyman carpenter, but as work slowed down, and knowing they were good at spotting quality merchandise, they decided to take it out of their home and into the public. The couple sources their merchandise from estate sales and yard sales, selectively choosing what they want to carry in the store.
As a result, you will find no clothing or ratty old stuffed animals. Instead, there are collectibles, an entire set of China, sporting equipment, furniture, books, CDs – all in good or great condition, some of it new.
“We end up with more tables than chairs,” Diane said as she looked at the mint condition dining room table on the floor now, which has no chairs.
The exception to clothing is two leather jackets hanging on the wall. One is from the Sonics, the other the Mariners. Also in stock is a Dooney and Bourke handbag and some jewelry.
Max and Opal Hochanadel from Sammamish were in the store for their second time in as many days. They had spied an Ethan Allen bench the day before, when everything was 25 percent off. When Max asked Diane if it was still 25 percent off, she honored the price. The couple beamed as they packed off their new treasure.
The Salazars do not take items on consignment. They do take Mastercard, VISA, American Express, Discover and good old fashioned cash.
Forgotten Treasures Gifts and Thrift Shoppe is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is located at 1025 NW Gilman Blvd. near Petco and Trader Joe’s.
Everything in this retro display is for sale at Forgotten Treasures Gifts and Thrift Shoppe in Issaquah.
Max and Opal Hochanadel of Sammamish, haul out a perfect Ethan Allen bench they found at Forgotten Treasures Gifts and Thrift Shoppe. They were thrilled with their new acquisition.
