Merchants Bring Back Sidewalk Sale

Look for the bright yellow balloons flying in front of many Barrington storefronts on Saturday, Oct. 1.

It will be the return of the sidewalk sale for many merchants, sponsored by the new Barrington Business Association.

“I think the last time this was done was back in the early ‘70s,” said Holly Smith of Hollies on the Avenue. She is one of the business association principals.

“Merchants would gather in the center,” Smith said, referring to what is now the Barrington Shopping Plaza. “The garden club would serve hot dogs. Everyone would put out tables.”

Saturday’s sidewalk sale will be spread out all over Barrington, not just the center of town. The date was picked in collaboration with the Barrington Education Foundation’s annual Rubber Ducky Race in the pond south of Town Hall.

Almost two dozen merchants have indicated that they will be participating in the sidewalk sale by advertising together in the Barrington Times, Smith said. Many more stores are expected to set up tables from the time they normally open to the time they usually close.

“The stores can do whatever they want to promote themselves on Saturday,” said Smith. "We've just asked everyone to fly a yellow balloon."

For instance, Smith said, she plans to reduce prices 20 percent across the board in her store this weekend as part of a three-day anniversary celebration.

The businesses that have indicated they plan to participate in the sidewalk sale, said Smith, include: Window Treatments, , Fine Men's Clothiers, Salon and Day Spa, , , Creations, , restaurant, , , , , Fine Thai Cuisine, , , , , , and Spa, Catanzaro’s and Florist and Gifts.