Somewhere between the Iraqi cash with pictures of a smiling Saddam Hussein and the Eddie Bauer baby stroller, I realized that on this tour of secondhand shops along Public Square and State Street, a certain spirit of Watertown can be found.

Or at least a nice new ceramic rooster.

These shops are where people go to unload stuff that once held meaning for them, stuff that will soon become meaningful for others. Some people want to get rid of stuff around the house and make a quick buck. Others are eager to get rid of it in return for cash to get more important things, like food.

One day a few weeks ago when I rode to their establishments and walked in unannounced, store owners told me business was booming.

There are other secondhand shops around the city, but the string along Public Square and State Street makes for a convenient outing.

We began at Lily's Variety Store, 20 Public Square.

There is no Lily inside. Lily is the name of a dog belonging to store owner Joseph W. Coffie and his fiancée. Mr. Coffie said he's been open since November.

"Overall, I'm doing really good," Mr. Coffie said. "During Christmas, I did really well. I couldn't believe it."

Mr. Coffie thinks Public Square construction won't keep people from stopping by. He's even thinking about expanding.

"As much as I hear about people losing business because of construction, I can't see how that's possible," he said.

Lily's stock includes electronics, video games, movies on DVD and VHS, power tools, action figures, sports cards and even scrapbooking supplies.

"If you can't find it anywhere else, we might have it here," Mr. Coffie said.

Mr. Coffie pointed to a shelf near the ceiling and noted the lonely snowman there — a recluse who was relocated to higher ground after the holidays. He's about a foot tall and covered with artificial pine boughs and is the longest-serving item Mr. Coffie has stocked.

High in another corner was a large framed painting. It's an idyllic scene of two pandas. Mr. Coffie is asking $85. "Nice" is printed near the price, hoping to better influence any impulse buyer.

"I make sure you're happy with the item before you walk out the door with it," Mr. Coffie said.

Just down the street is the veteran of the Public Square/State Street secondhand shops. Denise M. McLane has been operating Solitary Consignment at 34 Public Square for almost five years.

Unlike the other stores on this strip, Ms. McLane doesn't buy outright from people. She and whoever brings items in share the take after the purchases. She declined to reveal the split. She said she even has acquaintances in Texas and Virginia who send items to her.

Ms. McClane stocks "high-end women's clothing and accessories." One case holds a large selection of jewelry.

"It has to be in mint condition or we don't take it," she said from behind the counter and in front of a wall lined with colorful, shiny handbags.

She said spring is always a good season for her business, as women who spring-clean bring in items.

"I've met wonderful people here," she said. "Most have become friends. I have a great clientele."

Some of those regulars walk to her store on their lunch breaks just to see what's new. She said there often are more tense situations, such as when someone spills something on a blouse and seeks a replacement. Ms. McClane once helped a woman who told her she had to be at a wedding in an hour and needed a proper dress.

"We get a lot of variety of clothing you can't find in Watertown," she said. "It's unique stuff, and that's what we like."

Isabelle J. Windover loves garage sales and hates to drive in bad winter weather. It was a combination that led her to open Issy's One-Stop Variety Shop at 221 State St. in February 2007.

The Carthage resident used to work at a Watertown hotel as a breakfast hostess. Now, when bad weather is forecast, she puts a sign on her front door warning customers she might not be in.

As she went about her work, Mrs. Windover, 62, carried out from the shop's back room a large, seemingly comfortable Eddie Bauer infant car seat with tags still attached.

"This is brand-spanking new," she said, beaming as she set it on the floor. It would make a good match with the Eddie Bauer stroller at the front of the store.

She was asked where she got the car seat.

"I can't tell that," she said. "That's my secret. But it's legal!"

Mrs. Windover especially likes to deal with baby items. Infant clothing is a top-seller. She recalled the day a grandmother and another woman nearly cleared a rack of clothes.

"I get a lot of Fort Drum women," she said. "They are really nice girls and they give you a lot of nice stuff. Those women are what keep me in business. It's the military and the grandmothers."

The items in Mrs. Windover's store are neatly displayed on shelves. She takes pride in how they look and said that each electronic item and small appliance is tested and each clothing item is washed and ironed.

"I don't sell anything that's chipped or broken," she said. "You can check for yourself. But there might be a little dust!"

Dust had fallen on a herd of stuffed Winnie the Pooh critters. About a dozen of them stare happily, although blankly, as Mrs. Windover wheels and deals.

The Iraqi cash is found at Sweet's Variety Store, 273 State St. The bills are enclosed in a picture frame. Store owner Randy Sweet, a former soldier with Fort Drum's 122nd infantry, said they were dropped off by someone in the military. "I haven't had the chance to look it up on the Internet to see what they're worth," he said.

Mr. Sweet, a former furniture and car salesman, opened his store Feb. 1.

"I know the economy is bad right now," he said. "And soldiers are always coming in and out of the area. Those soldiers can't afford new stuff and they might end up renting it and paying six times what it's worth."

And there are others who are desperate to sell instead of buy, he said: "People come in with a big bag of stuff. They say, 'What can I get for this? I need groceries.'"

Mr. Sweet focuses on furniture and tries to maintain a variety of price ranges, whether someone wants a "$50 sofa or a $300 sofa." On this day, he had a washer and dryer at $199 for the pair.

Mr. Sweet has grown children who help him lug furniture and appliances around. But he said he has no problem doing the heavy lifting. "I'm an old farmer, outdoorsman and ex-military," he said.

He built tall wooden racks to hold a large collection of DVDs, VHS tapes and computer console games.

"I knew if I had quality, good stuff, I'd be successful, and I have been," Mr. Sweet said. He added he's cleaned out the major part of his inventory 10 times since opening.

He said a concern of any secondhand-shop owner is receiving stolen goods. Mr. Sweet said he has a few friends who are city cops. "They know I don't buy that stuff," he said. "I've had customers come in where I was pretty sure the stuff was stolen."

But by accepting such items, Mr. Sweet said, "You're only promoting that person to steal more."

The newest business on this block of swap is Starr D. Galloway Jr. He opened Lost Treasures Gifts & Collectibles in early April at 560 State St.

A good business practice, Mr. Galloway has discovered, is to keep his door open. That way, people driving on State Street can glance into the store when they're stopped for the light at the intersection at William Street.

The space was formerly occupied by a bar.

"The rent was cheap, and I figured the neighborhood was getting better," Mr. Galloway said.

He is a delivery driver for a pizza chain when not selling his wares, which are mostly new lamps, figurines and collectible knickknacks. All of this is mixed with various secondhand items. On the sidewalk in front of the store was a children's bicycle with helmet. He was asking $25 for both.

Mr. Galloway said he used to host regular sales at his East Main Street garage until the city set limits on how many such sales a person could hold each year at residences.

The most popular figurines, Mr. Galloway said, are wolves, dolphins, bears and eagles. You can also select from several ceramic roosters at the shop.

"It's been kind of slow, but I'm not getting nervous," he said, adding he was awaiting the Internet connection that would allow him to accept credit and debit cards.

"I enjoy it because of the people I meet," Mr. Galloway said. "If a day goes by and I don't make a sale, at least I know it's mine."

A Guy on a Bike is an occasional column in which the rider introduces you to people and places you might easily miss. If you have a suggested ride, contact cbrock@wdt.net, or write to Chris Brock at the Watertown Daily Times, 260 Washington St., Watertown, N.Y. 13601