West Bay Drive Sidewalk Sale Continues Today

People were lined up on West Bay Drive at around eight o’clock on Saturday morning in anticipation of the sidewalk sale, according to event organizer Tanya Pistillo.

That was the first sign that the inaugural sale could be a success.

Other signs came as people continued to frequent the area throughout the day, leading vendors and local business owners to declare the Downtown Largo Merchants Association collaboration a hit. 

“It’s been great, the traffic has been terrific all day,” Jamie Robinson, a Largo City Commissioner and manager of Largo Feed & Garden Supply, said later in the afternoon. 

“It’s exciting to see this kind of activity going on here.”

The sale brought out both veteran vendors and first timers, including artists, jewelry makers and bakers.

Most were in agreement that the sale was just what the area needed in order to breathe some life into the district. 

“It’s cool that Largo is starting to do stuff like this,” artist Brian Christian Emerson Sherk said. "Now we don't have to go all the way to St. Pete."

“This is the first time I’ve ever done this,” local woodworker Ron Strickland said. “I’ve sold six or eight pieces today, so I think I’ll probably be doing it again.”

The vendors weren’t the only ones who were happy to see an influx of activity in the area.

“I always support the local businesses, and I think the attention this is bringing to the area is terrific,” Largo resident Jocelyn Carpenter said.

“I work in Tampa and believe always say to me, ‘You live in Largo?’ And I’m like yes, I do, and I’m proud of it. Events like this are part of the reason why I love living here.” 

Pistillo, owner of Wandering Star Gallery, couldn't hide her excitement on Saturday.

“I couldn’t be happier with the turnout and the response,” she said.

She said the event will continue every month throughout the summer, and will expand to include businesses all the way to the intersection of Clearwater Largo Road. 

“People are coming up to me who didn’t participate in this one and saying they want to be part of the next one,” she said. “I’m so excited it’s been as well received as it has.” 

If You Go:

• What: West Bay Sidewalk Sale
• Where: Between the 200 and 400 blocks of West Bay Drive in downtown Largo
• When: Sunday, May 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Details: Vendors, games, entertainment and food highlight the first collaboration from the newly formed Dowtown Largo Merchants Association. the sale will be a monthly events, bridging the gap until the Open Air Market returns to Ulmer Park in the fall.
• Contact: For more information, visit the DLMA Facebook page.

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