Despite Heat, Merchants See Decent Sidewalk Sales

Even as downtown Chappaqua was beset with a fierce heat wave Thursday, businesses still enjoyed good business for the annual Sidewalk Sale.

Family Britches co-owner Barry Mishkin said it was “more successful than we could’ve hoped, given the weather.” His store has clothing lined on racks in front of King Street, with merchandise for all seasons.

“I’m actually doing 50 percent better than last year,” said Phyllis Jacobson, owner of Petticoat Lane. On the hot day, a walk inside to air conditioning was also convenient at her store.

The sale is also going well for Alissa Harvey, who owns The King’s Scribe. During the sale, she is offering customers a deal for those who request 100 invitations or more, which includes free digital addressing and calligraphy.

In the case of Squires owner Michael Kushner, he reported there being limited foot traffic. However, he noted that the first day of the sidewalk sale “is always kind of light.”

The sale has been going on for 16 years now, according to Mishkin. He and his store co-owner, Richard Baggee were among those who helped launch it, looking at nearby towns as examples. The intent of the sidewalk sale, Mishkin explained, is “to generate traffic during the summer doldrums.”

Noting the business aspect, Dawn Greenberg, owner of Aurora FT., which specializes in fair trade products, called the sale “an opportunity to draw people in.” In her case, she described steady business from the sale.

Shoppers in the downtown were also satisfied with the event.

Pam Wright, a New Castle resident, said “all the new stores are great,” referencing newer businesses that have opened recently.

“We found some beautiful gifts,” said Karen King, a Patterson resident who is originally from Chappaqua and was visiting her mother.

Inside Auntie Penny, which had decent business the first day, Robin Ellman, from Florida, was browsing for items. She was visiting Chappaqua to see her friend, Paula Youmak, and said that she goes shopping locally when she comes to town. Youmak said she plans on buying during the sale.

With the sidewalk sale also comes new updates to what downtown Chappaqua merchants are doing. Here’s an overview:

• The third and final vacant space on 1 King St. – the larger space was left empty last year when Petticoat Lane moved to its current spot – will soon be filled. The new store planned is called Breeze, which will sell items ranging from dinnerware, to tea, to table linens and ceramics. It will open in September. The other two spots in the building are filled with Aurora and The King’s Scribe, which both opened earlier this year.
• The ongoing renovations at Desires by Mikolay, which involved and expansion after having the store take over the space for the former Don Emilio’s at Lobo’s Café, are slated to be done by late August. This is according to Tara Mikolay, who co-owns the store with her husband, Scott Mikolay. Formerly specializing in jewelry, Desires by Mikolay is branching out into areas as various as bridal and baby gifts, candles and silver picture frames. The store also did well on the first day, according to Tara Mikolay.
• Squires is having its awning redone, including a new graphic, according to Kushner. Right now, a white, canopy-like structure is filling its place at the front, providing shade during a hot day.

For a list of participating businesses in the sidewalk sale, which continues for Friday and Saturday, . Check out our photo gallery of the first day, attached on this story.