Downtown Rye’s Annual Sidewalk Sale Happens this Weekend

Two things that have seemed to go hand-in-hand for the last few years in Rye are warm, sunny, summertime days and the annual Sidewalk Sale—where shoppers can not only patronize their local businesses but also will find deep discounts in almost every store on Purchase Street.

Thursday was the kick-off and by midday, the sidewalks were swarmed with mothers, children and even the occasional dad who may have had to be coaxed into going, like Dan Levine of Rye Brook.

“My wife promised me we would be home in time for the Mets game so if she’s happy, I’m happy,” said Levine as he and his family strolled into .

Owner Jimmy Myers said this event is great for the town and individual businesses alike.

“Things are always very busy during these days and we're marking down many items in the toy store 30-50 percent off original prices,” said Myers. He also mentioned that Sesame Street’s Elmo would be stopping by on Saturday to greet customers while they shopped.

It seemed as though almost every store front on Purchase Street and even some side streets like the shops along Purdy Avenue were participating in the Sidewalk Sale. had the two key words to get the ladies inside their store: “boots” and “50 percent off."

“I don’t get down here enough so it feels good to shop locally,” shared the bargain-hunting Elaine Longo of Rye, who admits that she normally ends up at a mall to do her clothes shopping but posed a rhetorical question, “what woman can resist prices that are half off?”

had large crowds outside its store and Marissa Andono of Harrison said she came for the bargains. "I love that they have pants and shirts at like half the price in some cases."

also had rows and rows of hair products for sale as well as what seemed to be one of their hottest items, hair extensions of all styles and colors, selling for $15each or 3 for $35.

Outside , items were marked down up to 50 percent off whether it was sterling silver or 18-carat gold.

The Sidewalk Sale takes place Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; for more information on the event, click .