There is one. Going on. Right now. I'm letting you know because I am damn certain you had absolutely no clue. No clue...whatsoever.

lol, I didn't. My kids asked, but I said no.
Was it well atteneded?

Funny, I didn't know except that it occurred to me earlier this week that this should be the week for the annual sidewalk sale. Sure enough, after I took the kids to their sports this morning, I saw one of GE's finest blocking off Main STreet. And I figured it must be the Sidewalk Sale. We went. Found a few nice things. Ate lunch with my daughter which was really fun. So, if you didn't go today, try tomorrow. But yes, Clam - didn't really hear anything about it....

I had to read it at another message board to find out.

It was listed in the newspapers-"Chicago Tribune" as well as the "Glen Ellyn News" that is tossed for free in front of the houses every Wednesday. It's a really good source of local events.

I noticed it was advertised in the Village newsletter.

quote:

Originally posted by Nuts:
It was listed in the newspapers-"Chicago Tribune" as well as the "Glen Ellyn News" that is tossed for free in front of the houses every Wednesday. It's a really good source of local events.

It looks like a good percentage of the retailers missed those resources...as well as the residents. From what I witnessed this afternoon, it was devastatingly underwhelming. Perhaps Friday and Saturday will be better.

Jeeze...

I should have thought of this years ago. I just added an "Upcoming Events!" forum that any nonprofit can use to promote its upcoming fundraisers (or whatever).

Upcoming Events!

I plan on going tomorrow. I did get some shoes today- an extra 20% off.

quote:

Originally posted by Nuts:
It was listed in the newspapers-"Chicago Tribune" as well as the "Glen Ellyn News" that is tossed for free in front of the houses every Wednesday. It's a really good source of local events.

I read the Glen Ellyn News and didn't see it...only get the Trib a few days a week. I don't rememeber the Village newsletter either and I usually read that thing front to back. OH well...I'll chalk it up to being out of town last week.

That Upcoming Events thread is a good idea, Ted!

Holy cow, that was terrible.

No offense to Kay Kendall....but I thnk it's time to shelve this thing until somebody is charge that knows what they are doing. Of the 10+ people that expressed an opinion of this event to me (don't ask me why people feel the need to tell me about this stuff), 100% had a negative opinion of this event. This included retailers and the general public. If something can't be done right...don't do it at all.

you seem genuinely surprised,lol.

Walked through Wheaton last night, world of difference with their sidewalk sale, which btw is still going on today.

It is very sad to me because the sidewalk sale was an "EVENT" in years past. Tons of deals, 100's of families there on the first day...so crowded you couldn't get to the merchandise. We need to get and keep retail. I try to shop downtown often, I hope eveyone tries too.

They used to let non-profit groups have a table on Thursday so that people could find out more about organizations they can join...just a freebie with information. Don't know if they still offer that but I certainly didn't see any on Thursday. That makes it more of an event as well.

I totally forgot about this this year, but I didn't see anything about it in the Herald until it was almost over. And I never read the GE "newspapers" anymore (and I sincerely wish there was a way to stop having them thrown at my house every week because they just go straight to the recycling bin). But I haven't been to the sidewalk sale in quite a few years. The last time I went, it was basically your typical "discounted Christmas cards in July" type of flea market thing. I do remember going several years ago when Bananas was still there, and scoring a few nice items. But here's the thing - when there isn't decent retail in town, how can you hold a sidewalk sale? I'd suggest that you don't, and wait until there is again.

And I will now balance out my slightly critical remark by saying that I have heard terrific things about the JazzFest (which I couldn't attend, unfortunately, because I had a prior commitment). And my husband and I recently had a wonderful dinner at Thipi Thai.

Reprinted with permission from the original author...so says I:

From the Glen Ellyn News..."our" newspaper...

Sidewalk sales register mixed reviews

Weather, turnout kept sales numbers down

Glen Ellyn News; story by Brian Hudson.

note: I tried to find this story online, and couldn't find it.

No doubt the turnout kept the sales down. Facts are facts. And the weather, as I guessed a few posts above, was sure to be blamed.

"In Wheaton, however, business picked up over the weekend despite the slow start, retailers reported. But while the turnout improved over the weekend for Wheaton. Glen Ellyn retailers continued to see an unusually low number of customers, and some reported lower earnings compared to last year."


Some?

"Jan Malopy, owner of Riviera Jewelers in Glen Ellyn, said she believed the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce, which hosts the event, poorly advertised the sale.

"A few (passersby) stopped and said, 'I didn't even know the sidewalk sale was going on,'" she said."


(pause, then laughter)

"Kay Kendall, director of the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce, preferred, at least for now, to reserve judgement on the sidewalk sale."


Kay, consider yourself and your sale - judged. Article continued with...

"She (Kay) has said previously, however, that she thought the convergence of three different sidewalk sales would attract more bargain hunters to the downtown, rather than keep them away."


Kay, take some free advice... if your organization can't compete head-to-head with the much better run sidewalk sales by much better run chambers, then something is wrong with your stategy.

Ted...I love you like a brother/uncle with money...but please tell me you didn't do the Chamber website. The typos, improper grammar usage and other little problems like, say, the "Contact Us" link not working is kind of infuriating. I wanted to send Kay an e-mail...yet I cannot.

I did not.

Good...very good, because that is one of the issues I'd like to discuss with her.

The easily fixed problems are the best place to start. Put your best face in front of the public...that's what I always say. If you look hungover, people will turn other way.