By Cheye Roberson
Sentinel Correspondent
Residents of Old Greenwich enjoyed the opportunity to browse through sale items, advocate for a cause, greet familiar faces and stroll along sunny Sound Beach Avenue and Arcadia Road with their families this past weekend.
Organized by The Old Greenwich Association of Merchants, this year’s sidewalk sales were yet another huge hit.
“We have a way of giving back to the community that supports us all year long,” said Marcos Torno, owner of Images of Greenwich and a member of the Old Greenwich Association of Merchants. “Giving them some deals on merchandise. And it is a very happy environment.”
Torno is a member of The Old Greenwich Association of Merchants and credits the local community for supporting Images of Greenwich for 25 years.
Norma Stanton, an artist for Images, said her favorite part of the Sidewalk Sales was meeting the people.
“They’re all so sweet and friendly and getting to know them… It’s an experience,” Stanton said.
Stanton said that in comparison to the Sidewalk Sales held on Greenwich Avenue in July this one is more personable.
“Everybody knows each other and it’s very quant,” Stanton said.
“I love just going and walking around and seeing all the different wares that the stores have and I certainly like the discounts,” said Keith Sernick, who had participated in the Sidewalk Sales for a decade.
The event is a valued tradition for new residents as well.
Casey Simmons, a mother of two, expressed the feeling of community generated from the Sidewalk Sales.
“This is our first year here we just moved a few weeks ago,” Simmons said. “So it seems like an awesome summer tradition and people are out. It’s a community gathering, there’s lots of kids around, good chance to meet people and we got some good deals.”
“And also I really like supporting small businesses,” Simmons added. “I think it’s important.”
The tradition of the Sidewalk Sales continued a cycle of support between local families and businesses alike.
“The Sidewalk Sales are a good way to clear your spring and summer inventory,” said Richard Fulton owner of ChillyBear and member of the Old Greenwich Association of Merchants. “Lots of vendors bring their store outdoors. I love being involved.”
A significant part of the Sidewalk Sales event for Richard Fulton was being able to help the family of Emily Fedorko who passed away last year in a boating accident.
ChillyBear sold bracelets, T-shirts and bandanas at their table to collect proceeds for the Emily Catherine Fedorko Foundation, which seeks to spread advocacy, education and awareness of boating safety.
“It’s great to help them get their message out”, said Fulton.
“It’s really great that we work with them and that people have come by and they’ve learned about it so even if they’re not buying something they may be donating and getting a sticker or just learning about and inquiring about water safety,” said Alleyha Iman Dannett, an employee of ChillyBear. “All proceeds go towards classes and general education about water safety and stuff like that.”
The Emily Fedorko Foundation was this year’s benefactor of the Block Party that was held on Sunday June 28.
The Sunday block party acted as an exclamation mark to close the Sidewalk Sales experience.
“We have our block party on Sunday where they close off both ends of Sound Beach Avenue and they have music and food and beer and fun,” said Garrison Gunter, owner of Cook and Craft, who collaborated with Wheelock Maidique during the sale this year.
Gunter has been a merchant in Old Greenwich for 15 years.
“I like getting to offer some great deals to some of our regular customers and also getting to meet new customers that don’t know that we’re around,” he said. “So it’s sort of a two-fold thing.”
