Found SJ, a second-hand store and project of the Preservation Action Council of San José (PAC SJ), continues to find success with its first location in West San José. 

The second-hand store is a volunteer-run and donation center that opened on Jan. 31 near the SAP Center, approximately 1.2 miles southwest from San José State.

The store is a project of PAC SJ, a nonprofit organization founded in 1990 dedicated to preserving San José’s historic architecture and artifacts from demolition or removal, according to the organization’s website.

PAC SJ has previously hosted rummage sales to support its preservation efforts, with the organization able to have a permanent location focusing on its reuse and conservation goals, according to a Found SJ Instagram post.

Patricia Curia, a board member of PAC SJ, organized the outdoor sales and said changes were necessary.

“We couldn’t keep up after 30 years of rummage sales on 13th Street,” Curia said. “I told the board, you know, I can’t maintain that energy level. It’s a lot of work.” 

All of the proceeds of Found SJ go to PAC SJ, according to the store’s website.

The inside of the shop is filled with a variety of vintage items like toys, books, assorted porcelain and dishware. PAC SJ also has an informational booth with pins and shirts for sale in the store.

Curia said Found SJ financially supporting PAC SJ is important to the culture of the city.

“There’s very little memorabilia of San José,” Curia said. “If you go to the airport, you get a T-shirt that you can get at any airport, but we’re trying to get these there because people need or want a little remembrance of San José.”

One preservation effort Found SJ subsidizes for PAC SJ is the San José Signs Project. This project records and maps historic signs across San José, according to the PAC SJ website. 

Found SJ sells enamel pins of these signs at a booth inside the store.

History San José is another nonprofit preserving historic monuments and documents in Santa Clara County, according to the organization’s website.

The nonprofit museum has three locations with a 14 acre collection of reconstructed historic buildings known as History Park, a collection of over 150,00 artifacts, and a restored trolley available for rides, according to the same source.

Ron Hagen, a volunteer of PAC SJ for over 20 years, said he was grateful to move from outside sales to indoors.

“When we moved in here, it was just a real blessing because everything is set up in one place,” Hagen said. “The volunteers don’t have to open boxes and stage things.” 

The store has two large rooms with specific sections for every vintage category like jewelry, toys and magazines. Large furniture pieces line the walls, available for purchase.

Efrat Shahar, the warehouse manager and volunteer, said the Found SJ’s success is more than she expected.

“We knew it was going to be great, but it’s how great it is and how much people love it, it’s amazing,” Shahar said.

The largest selection at Found SJ was the porcelain and dishware selection followed by shelves of books and magazines.

A small selection of clothing and jewelry each had their own table, Curia oversaw the jewelry table, lined with vintage watches, rings and bolo ties close to the checkout stand.

Shahar encouraged residents to volunteer or get involved with Found SJ.

“The concept of reuse and recycle and upcycle goes hand in hand with the preservation of the history of the city,” Shahar said.

Shahar said Found SJ will expand from a second-hand store to a community hub hosting events in the upcoming months.

Events include watercolor painting workshops and mending and upcycling tutorials, according to Shahar. 

“We’re very much looking forward to extending the community,” Shahar said.