NewCanaanite.com (https://newcanaanite.com/sidewalk-sale-return-of-caffeine-carburetors-announced-as-throngs-of-bargain-hunters-hit-downtown-new-canaan-photos-54751)
Beatrice and Jeff Mellick of New Canaan-based Beachmate, at the Sidewalk Sale on July 15, 2017. Credit: Michael Dinan
Shoppers peruse the racks at Jade, an Elm Street activewear shop, at the Sidewalk Sale on July 15, 2017. Credit: Michael Dinan
Big news out of Caffeine & Carburetors at the Sidewalk Sale on July 15, 2017. Credit: Michael Dinan
Scenes from the Sidewalk Sale on July 15, 2017. Credit: Michael Dinan
Caught 1-year-old Riley Gildea of New Canaan mid-lick at the Sidewalk Sale on July 15, 2017. Credit: Michael Dinan
The New Canaan Olive Oil crew at the Sidewalk Sale on July 15, 2017. Credit: Michael Dinan
Two Guys & a Grill come highly recommended. Here they are at the Sidewalk Sale on July 15, 2017. Credit: Michael Dinan
New Canaan attorney Matthew Maddox (R) set up investigations in downtown New Canaan for young visitors to his table at the Sidewalk Sale on July 15, 2017. Credit: Michael Dinan
Phil Williams of New Canaan Music at the Sidewalk Sale on July 15, 2017. Credit: Michael Dinan
Scenes from the Sidewalk Sale in New Canaan, July 17, 2017. Credit: Michael Dinan
Bankwell had their money machine at the Sidewalk Sale on July 15, 2017. Credit: Michael Dinan
A bassett hound meets a golden retriever at the Sidewalk Sale on July 15, 2017. Credit: Michael Dinan
Getting a wave from Alex Stewart of Walter Stewart's Market at the landmark store's usual spot near Park and Elm at the Sidewalk Sale on July 15, 2017. Credit: Michael Dinan
Shoppers peruse the deals at Vineyard Vines at the Sidewalk Sale on July 15, 2017. Credit: Michael Dinan
The fabulous New Canaan ornaments were on sale at the Sidewalk Sale on July 15, 2017. Credit: Michael Dinan
Scores of bargain-hunters descended on downtown New Canaan on a tolerably warm Saturday for the 52nd annual Village Fair and Sidewalk Sale.
Merchant booths on Main, Elm and Forest Streets sold out well ahead of the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce’s deadline, and shoppers moved through areas cordoned off for pedestrians to peruse racks of clothes and tables of goods, visiting the Pop Up Park for live music and food and riding on “zippy pets” where Karl Chevrolet and the New Canaan YMCA set up at Main and Elm.
“The weather is going to be great—it’s not 99 degrees,” Chamber Executive Director Tucker Murphy said. “This is all good.”
Doug Zumbach, owner of Zumbach’s Gourmet Coffee on Pine Street, in the afternoon announced that Caffeine & Carburetors—originally ruled out for 2017—would make a special return to downtown New Canaan on Sunday, Sept. 17.
The event has earned some approvals, Zumbach said from a booth where he raised money for New Canaan CARES and gave away helium-filled balloons bearing the message ‘Caffeine & Carburetors–Sept. 17.’
Once again, New Canaan’s Chamber-organized Sidewalk Sale drew thousands throughout the day.
Beatrice Mellick, who owns Beachmate with her husband, Jeff Mellick, said the day was “going great” as it got underway.
“We are really happy to be here,” she said. “This is our second year in New Canaan and there are lots of people coming out. We are happy to see everybody supporting the town and we’re thrilled to be a local merchant.”
Leo Karl III, president of Karl Chevrolet, called it “a booming day at the Sidewalk Sale.”
“It’s a nice year because typically this is the hottest day of the summer” and the temperatures remained relatively moderate this time around, he said. “It was a little overcast earlier, but it’s going to be a beautiful day. It’s a packed Elm Street today.”
That was the best news at the Sidewalk Sale. Thanks, Doug Zumbach!
As a town we owe so much to Doug Zumbach for his inspired idea to combine fantastic cars (from everywhere from Maine to Virginia) with the most beautiful town in Connecticut.
Wonderful news! C&C!
Just PLEASE tell atendees NOT to park in St.A’s parking lot. Nothing worse than showing up for Mass and not finding parking but seeing lots of people exit the lot to head down Pine Street.
As we have done with past events, we will put up barriers and post a New Canaan Police Officer to assure church parking.
Doug:
red “go slow” cones on side streets like Seminary also?
A few times a year we have special events in our down town. The events a great for our town, adults, children our restaurants and retail stores. For some folks any event they see causes them to complain. In many cases if you were to give this small group of people a million dollars in cash they would complain that they have to count the cash.
If they/ we would follow the rule of the 3Cs they/ we would have a better life and become better people. Sadly some will reject the rules as soon as they read them.
The Rule of the 3Cs
Don’t Complain
Don’t Criticize
Don’t Condemn
This is one of the best events for show casing New Canaan. Thanks Doug for taking this on and putting up (again!) with the inevitable road-blockers and nay-sayers. Overwhelmingly, New Canaanites love this event, and is a unique and distinguishing community get-together. Please reach out to us if and when support is needed to keep this positive and as amazing as it has been.