Weekend Sidewalk Sale Boosts Local Economy

For boutiques that line both sides of Clayton Road in Ladue in the Market Place shopping center, the idea of collective success was demonstrated Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the second end-of-season sidewalk sale.

More than 20 stores participated. They pooled their marketing dollars and placed an ad in Ladue News to advertise the event. The large number of shoppers walking from shop to shop with purchases in tow was proof of strength in numbers.

“Last year we had six stores that participated, now this year about 20,” said Paulette Friedman of Special Occasions by Paulette and Teddy. She organized the event along with help from Margaret Spooner of MACs Designs.

The day was perfect for strolling up and down Clayton Road as the break in weather was timely for the event.

“The weather really affects boutique sales,” Robin Wall of Giddy Up Jane said. With the mild temperatures over the weekend, the effects were positive.

To add to the experience and to draw customers in, some stores such as Vie pampered shoppers with wine and cheese. They also extended their hours Thursday to close at 8 p.m.

The goal of the sidewalk sale, aside from selling summer merchandise to make room for new fall merchandise, was about the stores coming together to remind the community that the strip of shops on Clayton Road are unique and have eclectic offerings. 

“We like it because it gives new customers a way to find us. It helps build Ladue shopping to become the shopping destination and to build strength in our community,” Jane Lavey of Giddy Up Jane said.

Jane lives and owns a business in Ladue and has a vested interest in boosting her local economy.

Joy Tribout, nationally recognized interior designer, participated in the sale with her interior design store located on the north side of Clayton Road in Ladue. She said she believes boosting the economy is done collectively, and it is not only about a few consumers spending large sums of money, rather many spending a little.

“Buy anything, even something small. Everybody needs to give a little,” she said. She suggested her line of candles named after her favorite songs.

Now in its second year, the sidewalk sale is expected to become an annual event, said Melody Tauben of Vie, a contemporary, sophisticated women’s clothing and accessory store.

“Because of the economy, it was a new marketing idea to come together as a community of business owners,” she said.

Store owners and managers said the sidewalk sale was a success in terms of sales and attracting new customer. 

“We had a lot of people come in say they didn’t know we were here,” Laurie Morris of Savvy Surroundings said.