Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Massachusetts Street business owners are preparing for the annual summer sidewalk sale Thursday in downtown Lawrence.
Merchants traditionally slash prices on a portion of their wares and toss them onto tables in front of their stores for the sale as hoards of Lawrence bargain hunters try to stake their claims to the discounted merchandise.
Reader poll
Are you going to shop at the Downtown Lawrence sidewalk sale?
- Yes 55% 5 votes
- No 33% 3 votes
- Unsure 11% 1 vote
9 total votes.
The crowds coupled with the usual hot temperatures are reasons enough to get to the shops early, even if it means rising before the sun.
“It’s really insane from 5:30 to nine in the morning,” said Willie Wilkerson, manager of Jayhawk Spirit, 935 Massachusetts St. “Some people can’t take off of work for the sales so they come before they go.”
Wilkerson, who has managed the store since 1998, will mark down the entire inventory of University-licensed clothing and gear during the sidewalk sale by as much as 50 percent outside the store and 20 percent inside.
He said he had been doing it long enough to know exactly how to plan for the city-wide blue light special, and his preparations involve overstocking the store with supplies from its warehouse the night before and scheduling employees so that all of them have to work for at least two-thirds of the 15-hour day.
He said he still gave his employees adequate breaks — especially from the heat.
“We do a lot of rotating in and out of the store for air conditioning,” he said.
He also said some of his employees would be experiencing the sales for the first time this year.
“A lot of them are used to the heat, but it’s a good way to get a tan or just relax,” Wilkerson said.
The store will be open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Misfortunes Creation Station, 726 Massachusetts St., is also going to mark down the prices of its entire inventory.
Layla Adams has only worked at the store and lived in Lawrence for about six months, so she’s never experienced the sidewalk sale, but she said the store would prepare by scheduling longer shifts and opening an hour early at 9 a.m.
She didn’t anticipate any major problems.
Adams said the store will slash all of its prices by 15 to 50 percent, including its downstairs supply of clothing, tapestries and eccentric jewelry, and its upstairs supply of T-shirts and tobacco supplies.
Scott Bennett, Stilwell senior, will begin working at sun-up at Francis Sporting Goods, 731 Massachusetts St.
The store plans to set up 10 to 15 tables of discounted shoes outside for the sidewalk sale, and apparel, such as warm-up gear, for no more than $15.
Having worked at the store for three years, Bennett said he didn’t mind the increase in foot traffic during the sale.
“It’s definitely a very good day for the store,” he said. “It’s a good way to clean house and make way for new stuff.”
Even downtown non-merchants benefit from the yearly event.
“It’s like a parade day; a lot of people,” said Craig Nowatzke, who owns the Sun Dog Hot Dog stand at 9th and Massachusetts streets.
Nowatzke will be selling hot dogs, sausages and drinks to burned-out shoppers during the event from his stand for the third year. He said each year the sidewalks are packed with people by 6 a.m.
“I kind of dread it, but it’s worth it,” he said.
— Edited by Joe Caponio
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