Community Corner

Batten Down the Hatches, Here Come the Shoppers

Saturday's Sidewalk Sale is expected to attract thousands itching for discounts.

More than 10,000 shoppers are expected to flood downtown New Canaan on Saturday as merchants offer deep discounts on inventory in the 45th Annual Sidewalk Sale. 

To prepare for the event, the New Canaan Police Department will have three officers working extra duty in addition to the officers working their regular shifts. Yet, despite all the out-of-towners, police say the Sidewalk Sale is usually a peaceful day.

"We haven't had any problems in the past and the event normally goes well," said Sergeant Carol Ogrinc, public information officer for the NCPD.  

Find out what's happening in New Canaanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This year's sale comes on the shoulders of much back-and-forth over incorporating the Farmers' Market into the Sidewalk Sale. In the past, merchants who have set up shop at the Farmers' Market on the day of the famed Sidewalk Sale report dismal turn-out and severely reduced foot traffic.

The decision was made to leave the Farmers' Market at the Center School Lot, where it has been since its inception in 1999. Officials sited concerns over issues with already-strained parking on the day of the sale as well as possible impact to merchants on Morse Court, where the Farmers' Market was proposed to move. 

Find out what's happening in New Canaanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Every detail surrounding the Farmers' Market is usually planned months in advance, according to Chamber of Commerce Director Tucker Murphy.

"We start getting calls from merchants who are interested after Christmas," said Murphy. "This year, we're featuring a dunking booth at the corner of Elm and Park... and a walk-through cutting garden on Forest Street."

For a  full list of merchants who are participating in Saturday's sale, see the attached document. And as always, Patch will be sponsoring the Petting Zoo on Elm Street.


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