AUGUST 14, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY MATTHEW SCHNEIDER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
The response from downtown retailers and patrons makes it clear: last week’s Summer Sidewalk Sale was a success.
The sale, which took place on Aug. 6 through 8, involved Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce businesses, which set up their wares outside in the sunshine. This helped to draw in customers, as passersby browsed a store’s merchandise without actually entering the storefront.
“People who don’t normally go to your store will pass by, see merchandise out [on the sidewalk], buy stuff and come in and take a look at what you have,” said Victor Idy, owner of Victor’s clothing store. “You make a lot of customers that way. It softens up your store; it makes it more appealing to customers who might not have come in to come in.”
In addition to drawing new customers, the sidewalk sale attracts new visitors to downtown Ridgewood, noted Walter Boyer, co-owner of Bookends.
“I think what it does is it increases foot traffic to our town, which is obviously very important,” he said. “I think a lot of shoppers from neighboring towns come here, so we get a lot of exposure from not just Ridgewood residents, but from other neighboring towns who come to these types of events.”
