Hunting for bargains in Cedarhurst

To snatch the best deals on designer clothes and shoes, games, and many more items head to Cedarhurst and shop during the 27th annual Summer Sidewalk Sale that is sponsored by the village’s Business Improvement District.
The now four-day event gets underway next Wednesday and runs 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Thursday the hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to when the stores close before Shabbos. On Sunday the sale is from 1 to 6 p.m. This year, nearly 85 stores are participating, according to Teri Shure, the BID’s executive director.
The event has grown tremendously since it was first introduced in the late 1980s. Jerry Cohen, the owner of participating store Trees Accessories Handbags, had experienced a sidewalk sale in a small upstate town near Kingston, and with the support of the Cedarhurst mayor and 15 merchants, he was able to bring it to the town.
Since then the sale has served as a great asset to the merchants. It has consistently generated a huge amount of foot traffic, which has translated into revenue as storeowners have emptied their shelves of older inventory. That helps merchants have space for newer, fresher merchandises, Cohen said. Miriam Dure, the owner of Savvy Sheek Inc., a women’s clothing store that moved from Lawrence to Cedarhurst, is especially excited because it will be her first time participating in the Sidewalk Sale. “It brings business into the community, and with the way the economy has been, I think it will be a perfect boost for us,” she said.
Thousands of people have gravitated to past sales, and the number of customers is only expected to grow. Previously the sale was a two-day event that took place only on Wednesday and Thursday. Due to popular demand, Friday and Sunday were added to accommodate people who worked during the week.

A big part of the sale’s success is the BID’s focus on advertising. In the past three years a huge social media campaign has been implemented. Announcements are made on Facebook, Instagram, and ads are rotated on up to 70 different websites. Emails and texts are sent out to update the public, and the Sidewalk Sale is also publicized in several local papers, including the Herald. The exposure that the sale is given makes it possible to reach out to residents whether they be from Lawrence or Lakewood, New Jersey.
Shure said that she gets emails from people months in advance that are excited about the summer sale event, and want to know the dates to guarantee that they can make it. “It’s the biggest way to market Cedarhurst,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for merchants to showcase what they sell and to show what Cedarhurst has to offer in general, such as its parks and the beauty of the village.”
The sale seems to be a win-win for everyone involved. Rebecca Obsteld, vice president of Warren Levi’s Martial Arts and Fitness on Washington Avenue, said that the Sidewalk Sale helps get their business noticed but is also great for the customers, who enjoy the offered discounts.
Levi’s Martial Arts and Fitness is one of 35 stores that will be taking part in the $1,000 Shopping Spree raffle. The Sidewalk Sale will take place rain or shine. For more information go to shopcedarhurst.com.