Where merchandise goes to be resurrected

It’s new to town, and new to you.

At least the offerings at New 2 You! are.

The variety mall, which opened in March at 1696 SE Mile Hill Drive, is attached to the South Kitsap Mall and brings a new flavor to town.

Why not in downtown?

“It’s a void we needed to fill,” said Denny Leighton, who has been in the business for 13 years and owns the variety mall with Becky Kranjcevich.

He managed another variety mall, Great Prospects, which closed last year in Port Orchard and moved to Bremerton. “We’re trying to do it a little more upscale than before.”

His wife, Bev Leighton, noted that the Goodwill at the South Kitsap Mall draws similar clientele, making the choice a logical one.

“It’s a location we couldn’t pass up,” he said.

But how to assure success this time around?

“We value our dealers and customers,” he said. “Every day it gets better.”

And there’s a more personal feel, too.

“It’s everybody’s old treasures,” John Kranjcevich said.

It’s a place to find things you can’t find anywhere else,” Bev Leighton added. “It’s like a garage sale without buying gas.”

John Kranjcevich explained that they sell booth and shelf space throughout the store to vendors. There currently are about a dozen spaces available.

“We take anyone that has anything to sell that’s legal.”

In addition to selling antiques, china and tools – one recent customer came in and found a taillight for his trailer – they also sell furniture.

“With the economy, people buy used furniture,” Denny Leighton explained. “It might be for the kid’s college room or the cabin.”

Customers are invited to a grand opening Saturday, which will feature hot dogs and music by local guitarist Jeff Tassin.

Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

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