Treasure-hunting trek: 'Michigan's Longest Garage Sale' continues throughout weekend
"Michigan’s Longest Garage Sale" continues this weekend. It extends for more than 200 miles on U.S. 12, from New Buffalo to Detroit, through White Pigeon, Sturgis, Bronson, Coldwater, Quincy, Allen and Jonesville.
Tables covered with goods, some protected by an awning, others in a building, line the route. Treasure-hunters leap-frog from one to the next, sometimes traveling for miles finding nothing before arriving at clusters of sales.
Hog Creek Antique Mall near Allen has multiple sales in the font yard. It's where Cathy Williams and Dick Mitchell from Jackson have set up shop for eight years. They do well, Williams said, and offer true garage-sale variety.
Downtown Quincy, Karen Daws was setting up her sale on Thursday but shoppers constantly arrived before she had boxes unpacked. No worries. Most years, Daws holds a sale to unload stuff — she’s happy to sell when people want to buy. Her daughter sent two truckloads to add to the selection.
Chastin Walter received permission to set up at a church parking lot west of Quincy. She also has sale goods from her mother and a friend. Walter’s husband mowed the field in front of the church in exchange for her lot-rent.
The annual sale gives Walter an outlet for her burgeoning business of buying from pallet sales and passing along the savings. She hopes to open a discount store at some point.
The event gives Kelsey Schrock of Clarksville the opportunity to find treasures for resale. She repurposes children’s clothes and her mother repurposes furniture.
Each year, they start in Coldwater and travel east on the first day, Schrock said. They take home what they've gathered, then the next day return to Coldwater and travel westward.
Back home, they participate in “Barn Sale Trail," which takes place a week after the U.S. 12 event. Customers who love all things “rusty and crusty” drive from one barn to the next, she said.
Maria Donner of Coldwater, and her daughter Tess Donner, have participated in the Heritage Trail event for more than 20 years, with exception of the pandemic years.The front yard of their ancestral home is a perfect location.
Treasure-hunters come from all over, Maria said.
“One year, we had a guy from Alabama,” Tess said. “He said they don’t have sales like this in the south.”
A family member who lives in northern Michigan said garage sales aren't so prevalent in that area.
"Maybe we live in 'The Junk Belt,'" Tess said.
Those who travel the route this weekend are asked to proceed with caution.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Reporter: 'U.S. 12 Garage Sale' brings treasure hunters in droves
