NICOLE WAGNER HAS called the tiny town of Linden her home since marrying one of its natives there nearly 30 years ago now. When she started The Primitive Barn, she ran it from the barn in her house, making signs that she would ship across the country.
As Wagner’s orders increased, she relocated several times to house her ever-growing business, until she found its current home at the 19783 Highway 26 location in Liden.
Wagner now uses her business to host different vendors at her monthly flea markets, starting with her biggest market of the year, “Junkin’ January.”
The Primitive Barn owner Nicole Wagner, left, poses with her best friend Carie North, who helps her run the roadside business in Linden on Jan. 20, 2024. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News) 
Vintage and rustic finds are displayed for sale during the annual Junkin’ January event at The Primitive Barn in Linden on Jan. 20, 2024. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News) 
Carie North, left, and Nicole Wagner talk at the sales counter with a customer during the Junkin’ January event at The Primitive Barn in Linden on Jan. 20, 2024. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News) 
Vintage cameras are sold at 50 percent off the marked price during the Junkin’ January event at The Primitive Barn in Linden on Jan. 20, 2024. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News) 
Venessa De Real, right, and Phil Castro shop during the annual Junkin’ January at The Primitive Barn in Linden on Saturday. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News) 
A chair made at San Quentin State Prison is among the items for sale during the Junkin’ January event at The Primitive Barn in Linden. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News) 
Katrina Morton, owner of “Fritz Creations,” sits at her popup booth with her customized vintage finds during the annual Junkin’ January at The Primitive Barn in Linden on Jan. 20, 2024. “I call them ‘Frankenstein Stuff’ because I find different parts and assemble them to sell,” Morton said of her work. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News) 
Wendy Peeples shops during the annual Junkin’ January at The Primitive Barn in Linden on Jan. 20, 2024. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News) 
Lisa Bergenholtz shows the Court House coffee tin she purchased for her daughter, who works at the historic courthouse in Auburn, during the annual Junkin’ January sale at The Primitive Barn in Linden on Jan. 20, 2024. (Harika Maddala/Bay City News)
“And it’s actually because of after Christmas, and we’d like to go out and start the year by finding new treasures, junk, and then we let vendors come in and sell their treasures they found,” Wagner said.
February’s flea market is called the “Funky February Finds.”
“January’s market is great event,” said Marcia Downey, a vendor who owns “Call Me a Relic.” Downey spoke of the timing of the event and said “Everybody is just cleaning out their Christmas decor and will find great stuff for their home decor here.”
Wagner noted that her barn hosts vendors from throughout the Central Valley, from places as far flung as Bakersfield, Placer County and Hollister.
The next flea market will be held at the barn on Feb. 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Harika Maddala is a photojournalist based in Stockton covering San Joaquin County for Bay City News Foundation and its nonprofit news site Local News Matters. They are a Report for America corps member and a CatchLight Local Fellow.
