Swap Meet gets people to sell their products

Tow dog Redd hangs out with store owner Cindi Lyon, right, at her table during a swap meet while Sherri and Bob Haskins shop in the background, Saturday, June 29, 2024 in North Chico , in California. (Michael Weber/Enterprise-Record)

CHICO — Strolling from store to store Saturday morning at the Chico Swap Meet in north Chico, Adam Herrey’s loyal pup, Redd, sat for a moment with custom birdhouse designer Cindi Lyon, who has her creations set up in her pop-up store, Her Wooden Creations.

About 20 sellers set up at the Chico Swap Meet, held monthly since January 2024, located at 5050 Cohasset Road.

Patrick Gills, the organizer of Gills Motorworks, said he started the swap meet in January after some of his customers suggested he organize one to help people sell their stuff. It had been at least four years since he had seen a swap market in Chico.

“It’s helped a lot of people sell their stuff, a lot of them have hobbies,” Gills said. “It just helps support people.”

Gills said he can host up to 30 vendors per event, and the swap meet has averaged 20 so far. Vendors can register for $20 and can sell anything except drugs, complete guns — except for parts — and other contraband, he said.

The next exchange meeting is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 20.

Lyon, who sat with the dog Redd for about 10 minutes, said that for 17 years she has been furnishing found items from stores and other knick-knacks around town to make custom birdhouses.

Lyon admitted to giving Redd a small snack, which earned her a brief loyalty before she got up to sniff out other stores.