Vendors Take It To The Streets In Sandy Hook

By Kaaren Valenta

Coleen James was having a good day. A resident of Windsor, she had come to Sandy Hook last Saturday to participate in the sidewalk sale day sponsored by the some of the businesses of Sandy Hook Center.

“These are items from my mother’s linen business,” she said, gesturing at stacks of napkins, tea towels, pillowcases, and other fabrics laid out on tables on the sidewalk on Church Hill Road.

“While I’m at it, I’m also selling things from my neighbor who is moving. And my son’s Pokemon cards. Everything is selling well, except for some glassware that I bought,” she said. “For a first-time event, it seems to be going over very well. We hope that it will be bigger next time.”

Down the street, in a large grassy opening between two buildings, Mrs James’ cousins, Ray and Marie Canfield of Sandy Hook, had a large display of new items for sale.

“We do a lot of flea markets,” Mr Canfield said. “We think it’s great what [builder/remodeler] Mike Porco is doing here, and we want to support it.”

The sidewalk sale day featured 10 vendors, including several who were busy selling tag sale items. Reenie Dacey, a nurse from Sandy Hook, set up her display near the Sandy Hook Diner.

“I was driving through recently and saw the [banner] and made an impromptu decision to take part,” she said. “It looks like a fun day to put things out and greet people – almost like the Labor Day Parade.”

Next to Ms Dacy, David Lewis, the son of diner owner Ellie Lewis, was busy with his own tag sale.

Some of the other booths featured Ginny Chion’s Longaberger baskets, vegetables and plants from Shortt’s Farm Market in Sandy Hook, and baked goods from the Meg Soda’s Bountiful Hive.

Around the corner, on Washington Avenue, members of St John’s Episcopal Church held their second gourmet donut drive-through of the season, offering freshly made donuts, gourmet coffee, and scones made by Mary Fellows. Hazel Tilson and Kim Keenan minded the church’s tag sale.

There was a rug hooking demonstration in The Mill, and an art show at the Gray Horse Gallery.

“It’s gratifying to see a lot of people out walking,” Mike Porco said. “It’s disappointing that we didn’t have more vendors, but perhaps that will change as they see how successful it can be. I’d like to make something like this become a regular event. I’m trying to stimulate business in this area, but it requires considerable time, money, and patience,” he added. “Still, I think it can be done.”

 Mr Porco said he was planning future events including possibly a weekly farmer’s market.