WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 2004
SHOPPING
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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Courtnev Kuhlen/Kansa
Visitors to Lawrence's 33rd annual Downtown Sidewalk Sale browsed racks in front of Britches Clothing Co.,843 Massachusetts St., and moved through the crowd on Thursday. Nearly 20,000 people participated in the sale.
Sidewalk sale draws crowds for deals
By Abby Tillery
atllery@kansan.com
kansan staff writer
Crowds lined Massachusetts Street early in the morning on July 15 in anticipation of the 33rd annual Downtown Sidewalk Sale as the sun started to peak over the buildings on the east side.
Michelle Walter, Overland Park sophomore and employee of Arensberg Shoes, 825 Massachusetts St., said she got to work at 6:45 a.m. and there were already people lined up outside the door.
Walter usually shops at the sale, but this year she had to work it. She was hoping to sneak away on her lunch and dinner breaks to grab some deals, she said.
Farther down the street a loud voice directed people's attention to the front of the Sunflower Outdoor and Bike Shop, 802 Massachusetts St. About eight feet above the sidewalk was Wade Veazey, Salina, Colo., resident, sitting in a chair and yelling through a megaphone in front of the store.
"Seven dollars and 50 cents for the long sleeve and $5 for the short sleeves," he said.
Veazey announced sales, directed traffic and monitored the dunk tank. By 7:30 a.m. the first person was on the butcher block.
"If you purchase over $100 you'll get to throw some balls," he shouted. By noon the amount was down to $50.
Veazey was an employee just for the day. He was an employee at Sunflower
about 10 years ago and makes a trip from Colorado annually to help. He contended that he had the best view of all.
Dan Hughes, co-owner of Sunflower, said sales at this year's event didn't match last year's, but last year was a record-setting year. Last Thursday fell in line with the normal amount of sales, he said.
Hughes said the dunk tank was a great addition and he was looking forward to doing something similar next year.
Mass Street Deli, 719 Massachusetts St., had a busier than average day, but not too much, said general manager Scott Hartegan. The business was comparable to previous years during the sidewalk sale, he said.
"We're always looking for something to add to the carnival-like atmosphere," he said.
Diedre Bieber, Little River graduate student, worked at Francis Sporting Goods, 731 Massachusetts St., for most of the sale. This was Bieber's first experience at the sidewalk sale and she was amazed by the crowd, she said.
"I think its crazy. So many people and so much stuff," she said.
Later in the day, about 4 p.m., Veazey's loud voice in front of Sunflower Outdoor and Bike Shop disappeared, but only long enough for a break. He quickly started back up.
"Seven dollars and 50 cents for the long sleeve and $5 for the short sleeves," he said.
— Edited by Marc Ingber