Sturges

Inside Dakota Bob’s Western Wear — the largest permanent building at the swap meet — owner Margo Sturges also projected resilience.

When a customer expressed disappointment about the swap meet’s closure, Sturges replied warmly, “I do believe in God, and I do believe he has a better plan for us. And so I’m just waiting to see what opens up and what is going to be revealed.”

Sturges and her husband, 90-year-old Dakota Bob, have been fixtures at the swap meet for two decades.

With the swap meet closing, Sturges said she and her husband are looking to sell their goods at a spot in Joshua Tree.

“He doesn’t gamble, he doesn’t drink, he doesn’t smoke, he doesn’t do drugs, he doesn’t chase women,” Sturges said.