Willow Glen Resident

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Photograph by Vicki Thompson

Juan Baron recently opened Willow Glen Thrift Shop across from the Elks Lodge on West Alma. He says he sells a little of everything in the store.

Collector's hobby turns into thrift business on West Alma

By Emilie Crofton

For more than 12 years, Juan Baron has been collecting items as a hobby. Now Baron has turned that hobby into a full-time business with the opening of his new store, Willow Glen Thrift Store.

Baron sells a little bit of everything at the store, which opened July 6. Household items, tools, electronics, games, furniture, arts and crafts, clothes, DVDs, CDs, knick-knacks, jewelry and even auto parts can be purchased. He tests all the electronic items to make sure they are still in good condition.

"Anything you need we have," Baron says, "and if we don't have it we'll have it by the next day."

The store is a family-run business with Baron's wife, Benita, and his two children, 16-year-old Jessica and 17-year-old Juan, all pitching in.

Although this is Baron's first store, he says collecting has been his favorite hobby.

"I've always been an entrepreneur," Baron says. "Buying and selling is in my blood."

Baron owns his own painting business, Legacy Painting, but says working at his thrift store is much more relaxing and enjoyable.

What is currently in the store is just the beginning, he says. Baron has more items in storage units. He plans to make more space and shelving to accommodate his large inventory. The San Jose native says his location on West Alma has good visibility as he is off a busy street and close to Highway 87.

The store has been open only a couple of weeks, but the response has been positive.

"So far, so good," he says. "It feels great to have opened the store. This is something I've always wanted to do."

Willow Glen Thrift Store is located at 567 W. Alma Ave. Store hours are Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 408.279. 1575.