Businesses in downtown Hamlet are pulling together for a massive sidewalk sale on Main Street the first Saturday in August.
“This will be the first event of its kind downtown,” said Miranda Chavis, Hamlet Historic Depot and Museum manager and downtown coordinator. “The idea is to give people a reason to come downtown and check out all the shops we have to offer, as well as to encourage residents to shop locally.”
The event will take place during tax free weekend.
Currently, 14 businesses are signed on to participate and more are welcome to join.
“I think this is a great idea,” said Nancy Rivers, owner of Main Street Central. “Other towns do this, and so should we. This is very exciting.”
Main Street Central, along with the vendors who set up booths in the same building, will have items like linens, antiques, collectibles, furniture, unique old jars and tools, railroad items, decorative Christmas items, candles and picture frames set out at the event.
The Hamlet Business Development Association is heading up the project, but the idea actually originated with one of the shop owners.
“I got the idea from the woman whose antique store I bought,” said Carolyn Blue, owner of Hamlet Florist and Gifts. “I think this is going to be wonderful. It’s not just businesses from Main Street, it’s businesses from Hamlet Avenue and Front Street as well.”
Blue said she’s accumulated two storage buildings full of items, and is looking forward to the sale.
“I’ll be selling things people haven’t seen in my stores,” she said.
Trina Poplin, owner of Second Time Around, said she’ll be marking down sidewalk sale items along with items inside her store.
“We’ll be selling everything from hunting and pocket knives to jewelry,” said Pat Wright, who runs Treasures Reappear.
The Grab will be on site selling men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, along with other items. All sales from The Grab benefit the National Railroad Museum and Hall of Fame, in Hamlet.
“We just got a large donation in, so we’ll have lots of things people haven’t seen yet,” said Bobbi Williams, who volunteers at The Grab.
The Hamlet Historic Depot and Museum will also be selling donated items to benefit its site.
“This will be a great opportunity for thrifting, picking and antiquing,” said Chavis.
Businesses in the downtown Hamlet area that wish to participate can contact Chavis for more information about free permits. Her number is 910-417-7791.
— Staff Writer Kelli Easterling can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 18, or by email at keasterling@heartlandpublications.com.
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