A couple who exceeded their yard sale limit but wanted to continue selling furniture from home had a permit approved on Tuesday that would allow them to do so.
Harry and Sharon Failing, of 911 U.S. Highway 74, sell furniture, second-hand goods, decorations, appliances, gently-used clothing, toys, jewelry and more. The furniture is sold most days at their home, without a paid staff. According to Sharon Failing, her immediate and extended family help sort and sell the items they collect.
“My husband’s always been a ‘wheeler-dealer’ since we met and we went to a few auctions and I got hooked,” said Sharon Failing. “It started out as extra spending money and it got bigger and bigger.”
Failing said her husband delivers as well.
Prices range and are adjustable. Failing said she saw a family whose house had burned down, and said they got the lowest possible price on furniture that she could do.
“I try to make it affordable and take care of my family, too,” she said. “We get to meet a lot of people. We’ve made a lot of friendships through this.”
The Failings had received a notice from the county in March that said they had exceeded the amount of yard sales for the year.
According to Richmond County Code Enforcement, “Yard sales shall be limited to a maximum of six per calendar year per property with an interval of at least two months between sales.”
The Richmond County Department of Planning and GIS sent a Notice of Code Violation Order to Cease and Desist to the Failings that said, “It has been noticed that several ‘yard sales’ or flea market’ events have been held on your property over the past several months.”
On April 10, the Richmond County Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustments met for a public hearing required for the Failings, who applied for a conditional use permit.
“The hearing was this evening and our application was approved,” said Failing. “We will hold our first approved sale this Thursday, Friday and Saturday.”
According to Failing, the dealings with the county went smoothly. She said Planning and Zoning Director of GIS James Armstrong was “incredibly helpful” and that “he answered any questions” Failing had.
“He helped us out with everything and calmed my nerves,” she said.
As for the public hearing, Failing said no one spoke out against their plans. She said she has received encouragement from her neighbors.
“The board passed it unanimously,” said Armstrong. “They came in very prepared and answered the board’s questions. It is a process, and the board looks at the facts and the evidence and cooperation does help. When you are able to provide all the things the board asks for, things go a little bit smoother.”
— Staff Writer Dawn M. Kurry can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 15, or by email at dkurry@heartlandpublications.com.
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