CHS photographer met “Joe” near Volunteer Park on Saturday after taking pictures of 2014 Capitol Hill Garage Sale Day.

I saw this guy and his buddy rolling a shopping cart down 15th, balancing a huge couch, rolled up carpets, speakers, and all sorts of odds and ends. I stopped to talk to them for a minute. I asked if he had to been to a garage sale today. He said “No, I do this everyday for a living.” Apparently he picks up stuff on the curb, takes it home, cleans it, fixes it, refurbishes, and then sells again. He said he “gives things a second chance at life.”

Leaving junk stuff on the curb is a peculiar part of Capitol Hill and city life. We have mixed feelings telling you about Joe. On the one hand, dumping crappy futons is gross. On the other, it’s good to know that somebody is out there taking advantage of the waste.