Merchant Garage Sale Offers Bargains, Marketing Opportunities

More than 20 area retailers took part in the 41st annual Hinsdale Merchants Garage Sale. The sale gave retailers a chance to move unsold inventory and bargain hunters a chance to find deals on new merchandise.

"This isn't your average garage sale," said Rick Johnson, owner of King Keyser Sporting Goods. "You're getting new merchandise from a retailer—not picking through grandma's old dresses that nobody wants, or that 40-year-old NordicTrack that's been gathering dust."

Johnson was not only participating in the Sept. 11 garage sale, he also organized it as a member of the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce.

"For the chamber, this is a long-standing event that provides a service to retailers in town, and a lot of people look forward to it every year. You see the same people year, after year, who love to get a good deal," he said.

"You usually don't know what you're looking for when you get there, but you know it when you see it," said Ted Zalas, about the experiences he has had shopping the sale.

"If you're looking for that special something, someone here's going to have it," said Inez Accettura, a longtime resident. "You can get your Christmas shopping done, and it's sort of fun, because you meet your friends and neighbors."

"That's one reason we are here," said Mary Brown, co-owner of Go Uber Green, a store that sells sustainable merchandise. "To expose people to our business. We've been selling some products here, but it's to talk to people."

"This is a nice way to get out in the community and network a little bit," said Donna Hall, an interior designer with Savvy Interior Design. "You can turn over any inventory you're carrying and buy more new inventory to keep things fresh."

"That's more why I do it—for marketing," said Susie Duboe-Bryant, owner of Hinsdale Furriers. The store has been operating in Hinsdale since 1952 and has never missed a year at the sale.

"I could make the same amount of money if I took my unsold furs to another retailer, and they would grab it at that price," Duboe-Bryant said. "But I'd rather sell it to you than another furrier, because you might tell your friends about me, and your friends would come to see me. Another retail furrier's not going to tell them to come see me."

Hundreds of people showed for the sale that was held at the Hinsdale Public Works garage, and Rick Johnson said he felt it was a good turnout.

"It was a successful event," said Johnson.