Ready with Lollipops: Greenwich Chamber Director is Stoked for Sidewalk Sales

The long-anticipated shopping event of the year is upon us. This year’s sidewalk sales run from Thursday, July 9, through Sunday, July 12. Four full days of tremendous bargains.

Chamber of Commerce director Marcia O’Kane said she is especially excited because the phones have been ringing off the hook with queries from people as far away as Long Island and New Jersey. Her advice is to make a day of it and to pace yourself. “Cool your heels and stop at a local restaurant for a bite to eat during the day. Replenish your energy and shop some more,” she said, adding that she’s heard from many fans of the annual sales that they plan to visit every single store participating.

Vineyard Vines was a destination during sidewalk sales in 2014, and will no doubt be a popular site for bargains in 2015. Credit: Leslie Yager

Heads up on parking: Last year, as the sales were about to open, an unmarked police car ticketed a double-parked car on Greenwich Ave. Minutes later, right around the corner, a tow truck hauled away an illegally parked car. Take the time to park legally, and be careful to feed your meter.

If you’re able to locate a spot on a side street, be aware many are limited to residents from 11:00 am till 2:00 pm. Milbank Ave. is okay to park on, but only after 10:00 am. Remember to study the signs on the side streets!

“We encourage folks to bring plenty of quarters and wear comfortable walking shoes!” advised O’Kane, who has purchased to pairs of Sketchers for the occasion. “This year’s extravaganza has more stores and sponsors participating than any other year.”

“Make it a family affair. There will be plenty of entertainment,” O’Kane said. “And don’t forget to stop by the Chamber table outside TD Bank to get lollipops and balloons!”

O’Kane cleared up a misconception. “People think that all the best bargains are on the first day,” she said. “Not true! Storekeepers keep enough inventory to make sure it gets refreshed every day.”

Many shoppers who make a destination of Greenwich Ave and its side streets — Lewis, Elm and Havemeyer — know it’s a great way to spend wisely. “People shop in advance for birthdays and holidays — both Christmas and Hanukkah,” O’Kane said, adding that the event is so much fun. “It’s a great way to support local Greenwich businesses. Shop local!”

O’Kane said the sidewalk sales are a family affair. “We can create such fond memories that children will never forget when they shopped the sales with their parents!”

Eve on the Ave. Credit: Emma Daley

Greenwich Sidewalk Sales will also include balloon artists and face painting on Saturday and Sunday for the kids, as well as live music on the weekend. This is the longest sidewalk sales event held in Fairfield County. O’Kane anticipates that shoppers will travel coming from all over the East Coast.

Here is the lineup of family friendly entertainment over the weekend:

Saturday, July 11, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm. JD Southard Band will be performing live music in front of the Board of Education on Greenwich Avenue. Also, Faces by Wells will be offering face painting.

Sunday, July 12, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Barbara Occhino and fellow musicians from BarbaraEntertains.com will be performing live music in front of the Board of Education on Greenwich Avenue. In addition, Party Talent will be offering face painting and balloon art, and Faces by Wells will also offer face painting.

Sale and event updates can be found on the Chamber’s Facebook page and Twitter page. There are also two official hashtags for this event — #GreenwichSidewalkSales and #GSS2015 — that attendees can use when posting photos and checking in. The Chamber will have giveaways for those who post the most!

Over 120 stores and restaurants are participating in the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce’s premier shopping event of the year: