New secondhand store opens on Main Street

KateLynn Slaamot
NLJ Correspondent
 
Seconds, a new downtown business, opened on Main Street on June 15. Owner Casey Smith said that he wanted to return some animation to Main Street. 
“I’m trying to do something to liven up the downtown area,” Smith said. 
Smith’s longtime interest in “wheeling and dealing” led him to open up his store, he said, and he also recognized the need for a high-quality secondhand store in Newcastle. 
Over the course of four months, Smith has been preparing for the opening of Seconds. The preparation has brought some challenges, he said. One challenge that set him behind in opening was a flaw in his computer system, causing the system to have issues communicating. After purchasing a new computer system, he got back on track and was able to open last month. 
“I have a lot of hard-to-find items and a lot of high-quality things,” Smith said. 
With more than 1,000 items, his inventory includes furniture and “antique” and “vintage” merchandise, among other things. 
Most of the items have been purchased at auctions, Smith said. He has traveled far and wide to these auctions, he said, because he wants to maintain a collection of high-quality items. 
“I’ve just really been searching the country for good things,” Smith said. 
Because he wants to keep prices low, Smith said, many of his items are “below internet value.” 
Smith credited his mother, Patty, with being a big help in opening the store and said that he “wouldn’t be where he’s at without her.” 
“I’m just there to pat him on the back,” Patty said. 
Patty said that she thinks her son will do a “great job” and that the venture is a “good fit for him.” 
Patty hopes that Seconds will provide Smith with an adequate livelihood while also providing Newcastle with a much-needed secondhand store, she said. 
Both Patty and Smith are hoping to garner the support of the community, and Patty said there’s been a lot of interest shown in the store. 
Smith’s hopes for the store closely follow his mother’s. 
“I would like to keep my doors open and be successful at this job,” Smith said.