‘Early Bird Sales’ To Premiere Friday, Setting Up New Canaan Sidewalk Sales

For 51 years, New Canaan has held its Sidewalk Sale & Village Fair in July. With the third week of the month already underway, New Canaan stores and shops have already started to set up for this weekend.

Although the town has had this date set for every year, the Darien and Greenwich weekend sales fall on the same days this year. Expected to lose some of the crowd to the other towns, the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce has worked with stores and town officials that many expect will please bargain-hunters and merchants alike this year.

For the first time, street-level stores downtown will hold ‘Early Bird Sales’ on Friday. Stores will be open with many racks and displays outside so that shoppers can get a head start on their sales, officials say.

Chamber Executive Director Tucker Murphy said that although other towns are hosting sales this weekend also, there is no need to worry.

“While businesses have had sales on Friday in the past, this year we told everyone to come out on the sidewalks and have their sales,” Murphy said. “We are taking a new initiative in hopes that everyone likes it.”

It’s not just shoppers who love the idea of the Friday sales—so do the stores.

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Throughout the business district, merchants have already started selling their sale items and many could be seen setting up for Friday’s early bird sales on Thursday. From clothing boutiques to food stores, each shop has its own sales and prices set for this weekend.

New Canaan Olive Oil ranks among the stores starting sales tomorrow. Opening tomorrow morning, all seasonal oils will be 50 percent off, according to owner Heidi Burrows. This sale will carry on to Saturday as well as all items 20 percent off.

Next to New Canaan Olive Oil, Pennyweights will be having a blowout sale this weekend as well. Everything in the store will also be 20 percent off, staff members there say, even 14k gold jewelry. In addition to this, the store will be giving a 50 percent off discount on designer watches.

Down the street, Jade has a large sale for the entire store, as well as many giveaways and raffles throughout the weekend.

“We have four racks of clothing for 20 dollars, 30 dollars, 40 dollars, and 50 dollars, as well as 20 percent off the entire store,” said Maxine Berg of Jade. “We are also holding a raffle for a $75 gift certificate to the store that anyone can win after making any purchase.”

Moving down to Main street, She La La also offers a large sale to the whole store. Sales will kick off at 10 a.m. when the shop opens and last until closing. On Saturday, She La La will be opening a hour earlier at 9 a.m. for those shoppers who want to get a head start.

Not only will She La La have a huge sale this weekend, Meri Hopkinson from Suburban Couture says that her shop will have its “biggest sale ever, inside and out of the store.”

The store plans to have everything marked down, even designer clothing and jewelry.

On Saturday, the shop’s displays will expand and the whole town is used for tents.

In addition to the stands, the Chamber has worked with different stores and facilities to really emphasize the Village Fair feeling., Murphy said.

“While we do have shopping, we have the full fair atmosphere,” she said. “Karl Chevrolet and the YMCA alway bring entertainment or some sort of ride. We have music and a food court, and other activities for families.”

This year, the New Canaanite will once again have a tent in front of Le Pan Quotidien on Elm Street. The news site will sell branded hats for a suggested donation price of $25, with all proceeds going towards Wildlife in Crisis. Stop by our booth to donate!

Murphy added that parking on Saturday will be free for everyone. Murphy also suggests that due to the heat and crowds, please leave your dogs at home.