Paul Post
By Paul Post
One of America’s favorite summer pastimes has nothing to do with baseball or backyard barbecues. Coast to coast, an estimated 6.5 to 9 million garage sales are held throughout the U.S. each year.
For some, it’s a fun way to earn an extra couple hundred dollars, but can provide an economic impact worth millions for communities that host town-wide events.
“It’s bringing people in to let them know what else we have to offer, like the Betar Byway (Hudson River walking trail) or the town Rec Park,” said Jean Gutheil, South Glens Falls-Town of Moreau garage sale coordinator. “Maybe they stopped in Stewart’s, Cumberland Farms, Common Roots brewery, The Pepper Mill Restaurant or Sorrentino’s market for a garage sale map. They might have bought a coffee, ice cream cone or stayed for lunch. It lets people know we’re back in business.”
This year’s sale, which dates back several years, was the first since the pandemic. More than 75 homes and organizations took part.
Similar town-wide events are held throughout the region, in addition to countless others hosted each weekend by individuals and neighborhood groups.
In Saratoga County, Charlton held a garage sale weekend in May, Ballston Spa’s was held June 10-11, while Galway and Greenfield hold theirs in August and September, respectively.
“As the weather gets warmer, more and more garage sale signs are popping up all over Saratoga County. Town-wide sales are a great way to get community members out and about, especially in some of the small towns and villages throughout the county. And we love it when those garage sale shoppers also take the opportunity to check out the unique small businesses such as restaurants and retail stores that keep these communities thriving year-round,” said Todd Shimkus, Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce president.
In Warren County, Lake George held a town-wide event in May and Thurman’s is set for Friday to Sunday, June 9-11. But the area’s biggest event, by far, is Warrensburg’s annual “World’s Largest Garage Sale” scheduled this year for Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.
“I was a kid when it first started,” said Doug Duell, Warrensburg High School principal. “I just remember the crush of people coming into town and not being able to get up and down Main Street. As I got older, we realized that it was an opportunity to make money to help supplement our income. First, we made breakfast sandwiches and hawked them in the street as cars were slowly going up and down Main Street. We also did a couple crafty things where it might have cost $6 or $7 to make something, but sold them for 20 bucks. All in all it was a good experience. The amount of people in town is a boost to the economy. It’s just kind of a fun couple of days to hang around and see some pretty cool things.”
Once word got out, the event skyrocketed from 20 sellers who took part in 1980, the first year, to the literally tens of thousands of people who descend on Warrensburg each fall, looking for bargains and unique items that can’t be found elsewhere.
“Main Street is primarily for vendors now, but you can certainly find great deals on some of the back streets,” Duell said. “I have a pretty good collection of power tools worth hundreds of dollars we’ve found over the years. It’s quite a savings when you’re only paying 10, 20 or 30 cents on the dollar.”
The sale, drawing people from throughout the Northeast, fills literally hundreds of hotel rooms, contributing greatly to the local tourism industry during the fall shoulder season.
“It has historically been a great event, bringing many people and vendors to the area on a weekend that might be slow otherwise,” said Amanda Metzger, Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce marketing director. “We promote it on our website, through email and we keep a last-minute lodging list for it to help people find available accommodations.”
Chamber data shows that average daily tourism spending drops off sharply after Garage Sale Weekend. While most visitors come from the Capital Region and Metro New York, the event also attracts people the Burlington-Plattsburgh area, cities across upstate New York, throughout New England and even Philadelphia.
In addition to their economic benefits, garage sales also help the environment by encouraging people to recycle items that might otherwise end up in landfills.
“Repurposed and recycled items have been a major trend lately,” Metzger said. “People love treasure hunting, especially for a good bargain.”
Jan and Paul Richmond, of Glens Falls, hit the garage sale trail almost every weekend in search of both practical and fun, unique items. They prepare by scanning local newspapers or go online to see where sales are being held, and what sellers have to offer.
“I look for clothes, sneakers and odd-ball stuff,” Jan said. “I used to look for knick-knacks, but now I’ve got too many of them. I want to get rid of some.”
Paul is always on the lookout for large stuffed animals and dolls that are displayed in front of the couple’s McDonald Street home. “I just like seeing people’s reactions when they drive or walk by,” he said. “Of course, I also buy some things that I try to re-sell.”
Unlike auctions, in which an auctioneer sells goods to the highest bidder, most garage sale transactions occur between an item’s original owner and a buyer. The private setting and personal nature of such transactions almost always involves pleasant social interaction as well.
“Everybody chats. When they come to a garage sale they come to talk and have fun,” said Abigail Herlihy, who recently hosted a multi-family garage sale at her Ridge Street home in Glens Falls. “I really like all my pieces. So I enjoy knowing they’re going to someone else who will enjoy them, too, instead of getting thrown out right away.”
Throughout the year she puts unwanted things in boxes in anticipation of a summer garage sale. Most people already have more than enough Christmas decorations, but Herlihy has found that other holiday-themed items, from St. Patrick’s Day or Halloween, sell quickly.
“We also sold a lot of table cloths, napkins, dish towels, kitchen utensils, children’s books and family games,” she said.
With experience, she’s learned several tricks of the trade that make for a successful garage sale. “Everything should be off the ground,” she said. “Nobody wants to bend over to look at things. Have cloth items up high so they flutter and catch your eye. Have space enough that you can walk next to people and not worry about knocking things off the table. And have shade because it’s hot.”