Butcher Block Baker's Rack Re-do

Saw this butcher block baker's rack at a tag sale in Southampton, MA and purchased for all of $3.00.  It was in very good shape overall.

It needed a good cleaning to remove some grease build up.  I used Dawn liquid on a wet cloth.  My Craftsman orbital sander w/ 60# paper did a great job sanding the water stains and various marks.

 

After sanding, a soft rag was used to remove any dust and it was ready to stain. I used Minwax Maple and applied two coats.

 

 At this point I could have applied polyurethane, but decided to see how it would survive without it.

Here is the completed project in its new home.  It replaced a larger wire baker's rack that was really too big for the space.  Now I even have a place to display my Mom's coffee cup and my daughter's tea cup that she made for me.