FeedsAnnual city sidewalk sales set this weekend
This weekend promises to be a busy one in the City of Wayne.
The annual Sidewalk Sale event begins today and continues through the weekend. Events sponsored by the Wayne Chamber of Commerce and the Senior Activity Center will try to capitalize on the success of the annual sale, too.
During business hours today, tomorrow and on Saturday, merchants will line the streets with special bargains during the sidewalk sale event, according to Gayle Rediske, executive director of the Wayne Chamber of Commerce.
The event has a long, successful history, but not as long as one of the regular participants—Northside Hardware, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary with help from state officials on Saturday afternoon.
Representatives from Lansing—including State Reps. Glenn Anderson (D-Westland) and John Stewart (R-Plymouth) and State Sen. Ray Basham (D-Taylor) will be on hand to celebrate the milestone for the family-owned business. That is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
“For (the store) to survive when (it’s) had to compete against the big box stores—it’s impressive,” said Rediske. The store will also celebrate the sales in its usual way—with sidewalks lined with goods and by selling a hotdog and a coke for 25 cents.
Between the sidewalk sales and the Thursday night concert, the chamber will put on the second annual business exposition in Goudy Park, Rediske said.
“It’s a good opportunity for businesses to get their name out,” she said.
Businesses scheduled for that include The Acorn Shop, InFocus Eye Care, the Outdoor Fun Store, Dolly’s Pizza and more. Jim Demmer will have some of the latest Ford models for display and Vince Law from Law Auto will have a presence, too.
A hockey Hall of Famer will be on site, too, helping to generate funds for the restoration of the Historic Wayne Theatre. Johnny Wilson, a former Red Wing player and coach will sign autographs, according to Don Nicholson, capital fundraising chairman for the theater.
“He’s donating all of the proceeds to the theater,” Nicholson said. “He’s going to help us bring some other hall of famers for other events on other nights.”
Wilson was first called up in 1949. He played in the National Hockey League from 1951-1962, splitting time between the Red Wings, the Chicago Blackhawks and the New York Rangers. He finished his career with 161 goals and 332 points before he went on to coach for the Red Wings, the Colorado Avalanche and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Rediske said this might be the last business expo, pending the fate of the downtown concert series.
“I’m not sure if we’re going to do it next year without the concerts,” she said. “I feel the concerts are what bring people to the park.” The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
The Senior Activity Center gets into the act on Friday and Saturday with their annual flea market, according to Nancy Wojewski-Noel, director of the center. The sale takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with booths inside and outside the center at Sims Avenue.
“It’s a fundraiser for our building,” she said.
She hopes to put the money generated through the event toward a new electronic marquee sign that help spotlight the many activities that take place at the center.
“We can’t possibly advertise everything we have going on,” she said, referring to the old sign, which has limited space and requires a staff member to change it. “It’s very antiquated.”
Rediske said all the events will add up to a positive weekend for the city.
“It’s usually a lot of fun,” she said, “and there are always a lot of good deals.”
