Photo by Staci Ponte A few crafts for sale

Photo by Staci Ponte Cheri Erickson and Ruth Carson

Photo by Staci Ponte Garden bench, raffle item

Photo by Staci Ponte Tamara Hlavaty and a temporary mural on an interior wall.

Photo by Staci Ponte A few herbs

Herbs and plants went fast Friday on the opening day of the annual sale to raise money to convert the old 1913 Post Office to an Arts Center.

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“We’ve been very busy all day, with lots of people,” organizers Cheri Erickson and Ruth Carson said at 1:40 p.m. when 75 percent of the plant tables were already empty for the day.

Plants included heirloom tomatoes, plus handmade goods and garden supplies such as birdhouses, planters, jewelry and handmade stepping stones.

The sale started at 9 a.m. and continued until 4 p.m. More plants will be brought in

for the second day of the sale Saturday, during the same hours.

First-time herb and craft sale shopper Tamara Hlavaty found what she wanted and was happy with the selections.

“They have great products and great plants,” Hlavaty said, “and this is absolutely a great cause.”

This is the eighth year for the sale, which Carson said typically generates several thousand dollars. Clubs and individuals donate sale items, or proceeds from the sale, to the restoration of the building.

For a drawing, Gene Gilsdorf donated a gardeners’ bench that Kay Cooper painted. The winner will be announced at 4 p.m. Saturday.

A month ago, dozens of volunteers worked through the weekend to clean out the basement of the building. They tore down walls that were built during the 1960s and 70s, when the building was home to North Platte Junior College, which later became North Platte Community College.

The student lounge was located in the basement.