By Monty Siekerman
It was changing of the guard Saturday at the Ada Flea Market when Gus Guthrie (right) handed off the keys to the new owner, Dan McCrory of Rawson.

Gus, who opened the flea market 5 years ago, is retiring from the business but will continue to pastor St. Paul's United Church of Christ. On Friday, Dan retired from Ball Metal in Findlay after 38 years. He began ownership of the store the next day.

He and his wife, Cindy, said they will enjoy operating a store with ever-changing merchandise and repurposing the goods sold there, all at bargain prices.

The store, located at 111 N. Main, will continue the similar selection of new and used merchandise, plus produce in season, during the same hours: 9-5 on Thursday-Saturday.

Gus has served Baptist pastorates at Riley Creek between Ada and Bluffton,  Tiffin, and began Liberty Baptist just north of town.

He also is remembered for owning a three-story furniture store, where Quest Federal Credit Union now is located, from 1999 until 2012.

For Gus, he's retiring from being a downtown merchant but will continue his preaching. For Dan, he's retiring from one job and overnight becoming a local Main Street merchant in Ada.