By MADDY VITALE
Just because the summer is drawing to a close doesn’t mean there won’t be some warm days heading into fall when summer wear may make the perfect outfit for boating, lounging or dining.
Or what about those cruises booked for fall or winter, or those snowbirds heading to always-sunny Florida or the Carolinas?
Sea Isle’s Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization thought about that and came up with a plan to host its first sidewalk sale to give vacationers and residents great deals on merchandise and even a sneak peek at fall lines.
On Sunday, Aug. 25, during regular store hours throughout the city, 15 shops, boutiques and stores will offer a wide selection of clothes, swimsuits, gear and other items to delight shoppers.
Christopher Glancey, Chamber president, said the idea to hold a sidewalk sale came from a couple of merchants.
“A couple of the retailers asked us if we would be interested in promoting a sidewalk sale at end of the summer,” Glancey said. “The idea is when all of the people are here for the weekend, they could get some good deals on merchandise before the summer is over. We decided at the Chamber meeting this month that it was a great idea.”
He added that the plan is to make it an annual summer event.
“Hopefully everyone will get out and take advantage of the deals in Sea Isle and they can do it outside in the nice weather,” Glancey said.
Liz Essick, owner of Sunsations boutique, 28 JFK Boulevard, said the sidewalk sale is a wonderful way for people to pick up end-of-season merchandise at discounts.
“I think the sidewalk sale is a great idea because it helps promote what discounts we have. Some people don’t know we still have so much. When they come out, they will also see our new arrivals for fall. Our season does not end with summer,” Essick explained. “We still have merchandise and a beautiful collection for fall.”
The selection of summer items at Sunsations is marked down 30 to 50 percent off. There will be a wide variety of apparel and shoes to choose from at the sidewalk sale.
“We still have a very nice selection to choose from,” Essick noted.
For Brian Heritage, owner of Heritage Surf & Sport at 3700 Landis Ave., the sidewalk sale is an ideal way for people to choose items, at good deals, that they may have passed on because of the cost before.
“Most of our items will be half price,” he said.
Unlike other retailers, Heritage puts out items for shoppers to buy throughout the summer.
“We have the same stuff out and we will add to it, but for the other retailers and vendors it is a way to cap off an excellent summer and put out new merchandise a little quicker,” he said.
Heritage said a lot of items that will be on sale include women’s and men’s summer clothing and women’s swimsuits and sandals.
He said above all, the sidewalk sale will be good for the vendors.
“It will be good for all of the retail stores in Sea Isle because it gives people an opportunity to get good deals on stuff for next year and for their winter vacations.”
For more information including a full list of participating businesses visit www.seaislechamber.com.
