Cedarhurst Summer Sidewalk Sale is on

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As Covid restrictions have been lifted on Long Island for the past couple of months, Cedarhurst will host its annual Summer Sidewalk Sale beginning on Wednesday, July 21 and it will continue through Sunday, July 25, coupled with an inaugural outdoor art show on Sunday in Andrew J. Paise Cedarhurst Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Summer Sidewalk Sale, along Central Avenue and other village streets, took place last year in a limited scope because of the coronavirus pandemic and its accompanying safety guidelines and restrictions.

This year it is anticipated that “tens of thousands” of people will flock to Cedarhurst for the deals and discounts, according to Sharona Hoffman, the executive director of the Cedarhurst Business Improvement District.

The BID collects an assessment of the village tax on commercial property. In conjunction with a governing body such as a village, the BID uses the money for improvements and promotions in the business area.

Village Deputy Mayor Ari Brown said he expects the event to bring people and families together. “The sidewalk sale and art show are events that can bring a large crowd out,” he said.

“These events have usually been very popular, and we get to meet people who come from different towns across Long Island and some who reside in different states.”

Brown serves as the village’s liaison to the Cedarhurst Business Improvement District and has been on the organization’s board since 1998. “If certain stores are struggling in sales, the sidewalk sale will help out those businesses get back on track,” Brown said.

While the sidewalk sale and art show attract a crowd, Hoffman is looking to bring in more events geared towards children. Owner of Make it Too arts and crafts store in Cedarhurst, she has helped organize the event for years. Hoffman is implementing more ways to have a diverse demographic that will attract younger teens and children.

“The Wednesday after [the sidewalk sale, July 28], there is a comedy in the park, there is a movie night in August and a fall festival in the fall,” she said, noting there is no date for the festival yet. “Kids and other participations can win in a judged contest, there is a cake decorating contest and then there is an art contest [happening during the art festival]. This is the first time we are doing an art festival. We built a site that is going to cater to bringing in a lot more events for kids, and the community to keep things local, and to help our local vendors.”

The Summer Sidewalk Sale is a way for businesses in the village to generate more revenue during what is considered a slow part of the year.

“July is the slowest time for any retail, online or in store.” Hoffman said. “We create this annual sale that everyone is out on the sidewalk, and they get rid of their merchandise, and they have these incredible 75 and 50 percent off sales. It helps the local retailers help push out their old merchandise from the spring and summer and gears them up for their fall and holiday seasons.”