William Bryan McClimans is the proprietor of Second Chance Antiques & Furniture located at 1307 Hewitt Avenue. This is not your usual storefront opening; it is a success story about making the most of every day. This is a recovery story full of determination and personal growth. 

May 11, 2011 was the date that changed his whole world.

Bryan had nothing special going for him, he was a drug addict living his daily life from one high time to another. While walking in the rain and seeking shelter, a friend that knew him from the local food bank, pulled over to offer him a ride. Bryan was driven to a treatment center at the Salvation Army in Seattle. It was his time to make a clean decision; “a decision made above my level; it was a God thing.” Bryan states.  Having been to treatment 7 times prior, this time it stuck.  

When finishing the program Bryan left with the clothes on his back, a twenty-dollar bill and a bus ticket to come back to Everett. “I did it wrong until I learned to do it right,” Bryan says about his multiple stays at clean and sober housing locations previously. Bryan had nowhere to go home to. Thankfully a friend let him sleep in a camper in their backyard, out of the weather.

Bryan went to the Veteran’s Assistance across from the County Jail and received four hundred dollars to use towards shelter at a local halfway house rented a bedroom and the garage attached. He made a deal with the owner of the house that allowed him to clean the garage and sell the contents. He made several hundred dollars and was able to pay 2 months' rent in advance to maintain a sober lifestyle.  

Many things went in his favor and he truly believed his higher powers assisted him along the way. Looking for more work; Bryan posted on Craigslist to do any job for any amount. He was hired to work with a man that owned a woodshop in Monroe and learned every tool that was available. You can find his handy work all over the store with beautifully made furnishings.

He then began purchasing storage lockers, hit estate sales and created goods from discarded parts and pieces. Eventually, resales became Bryan’s purpose in life. He held garage sales out of his halfway house nearly every weekend.

His first storefront was on Broadway in a run-down building that was destined to be destroyed. Bryan saw something possible here and created an opportunity for himself and friends to clean it up and make it functional for sales and shelter. Business went well for him here and allowed him to grow his ventures.

January 1, 2013, he moved his business to 1307 Hewitt Avenue, where you can find it today. 

Less than two years of clean time Bryan had created a life for himself while helping those around him. He continually puts money and goods toward refurbishing the sober house he lives in and hires friends who are on their path to getting clean to help in some of the work to be done. Not all days were easy but his determination never faltered. For each one step he takes forward he feels he is given five. 

Be sure to pop in and peruse everything from custom made tables and lamps built from various industrial materials to classic pictures of Hollywood icons and trinkets of all kinds. Bryan will be in his usual spot next to the front door with a warm smile.

Every day is a choice, a decision, a second chance.

Second Chance Antiques & Furniture
1307 Hewitt Ave
Everett, WA 98201
(425) 622-4681

Siobhain Melcer has been an Everettarian since 1987, lover of the city, the scenic views and all of the music in-between. Mother of cats. Chooses kindness over all.