ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—True to Englewood’s tag line, this past week, the city was indeed “A Place for Everyone.”
Englewood Chamber of Commerce (ECC) presented its annual Sidewalk Sale from Thursday, July 25 through Saturday, July 27, and it drew throngs of people from all over Bergen County and beyond.
Over 100 businesses, nonprofits, artists, musicians and restaurants transformed downtown Englewood into an ultimate shopping destination for the exciting three-day event.
“The Englewood Sidewalk Sale, the oldest sidewalk sale in the state, has been happening for over 40 years, and this year, we set a record,” said ECC President Carol Rauscher. “What makes the Englewood Summer Fest & Sidewalk Sale different than other street fairs is the fact that the exhibitors and restaurants are local and not outside vendors. It’s wonderful to see shoppers from all over spend time downtown enjoying our stores.”
That enjoyment was evident and non-stop. Each day, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., a steady parade of residents and visitors strolled up and down Palisade Avenue and around Dean Street, where vendors offered special savings on shoes, jewelry, men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, beauty and skin care products, fitness memberships, housewares, sundries and more.
In between scoring bargains, shoppers could eat at one or more of Englewood’s many restaurants.
There were also dance and fitness exhibitions, face painting and airbrush tattooing and a plethora of free giveaways and wheels of fortune offering prizes.
Local institutions took advantage of the scene and set up tables where the public could meet and greet executives, including: bergenPAC, Valley National Bank, the Bergen Family Center, the Englewood Department of Health, the Englewood Public Library and other organizations and businesses.
Popular DJ John McLoughlin (“Johnny Mac”), kept the atmosphere upbeat with his music and scintillating personality.
New this year was the Creative Corner, an art display curated by Englewood Art Walls, the program founded by Omar Lopez of the Englewood Family League. At the Creative Corner, artists from around the region showed and sold their work.
The artists at Creative Corner were Samantha Wilson, Laura Hoyos, Tony Keker, Lost Lion Art, The Jahz, Kenia Akridge, Graff Tours, Harris Lee Rose, Tony Seker, Jack Hernandez and Lawrence Ciarallo, Jackie Hernandez and Harris Lee-Rose.
Excitement night and day
In addition to the three-day shopping extravaganza, Thursday evening brought Englewood Night Out. From 5 to 9 p.m., Palisade Avenue became even livelier.
Night Out dazzled the crowd with entertainment by DJ Mister LJ, Geno Five, an Englewood hip hop artist, The Ermita Brothers, the famous Kid Rock Band, and students from The Performing Arts School at bergenPAC that sang a medley of hit songs from their summer musical, “The Producers.”
On Saturday, the Kids Zone, sponsored by Valley National Bank, took place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Veterans Park. There was a panorama of fun activities for children of all ages, such as a gigantic bounce house, carnival games, spin art, face painting and crafts.
The Kids Zone also had exhibits by the Englewood Public Library, One River School, Englewood Child Care Center, Venture Photos, Tee Shirt Inc, Englewood Department of Recreation, Englewood Public Library, Bergen Performing Arts School, Tiger Schulmann Martial Arts, the Bergen Family Center and Valley National Bank. Many of the exhibitors gave out information packets along with their complimentary novelty items.
In a shaded section of the park, Jim Geraghty, marketing manager vice president of Valley Bank, enthralled a group of children with storytelling.
Throughout the three-day festival, Mayor Michael Wildes greeted and chatted with residents and visitors. Proudly emphasizing the diversity of the city, Wildes met with families who had moved to Englewood from all over the world, from as far away as Kenya and Morocco.
“I can’t express how happy I am about the Sidewalk Sale in Englewood!” Wildes exclaimed. “It is a wonderful event filled with a multitude of vendors that bring our community together and grants exposure to what makes Englewood special. I was glad to see a strong art component this year. Personally, it allows me to interact with those I have not yet been given the chance to meet. We hope everyone had fun!”
Englewood business owners who participated in the Sidewalk Sale heartily shared Wildes’ enthusiasm. Erica Sabag of Erica Sabag Luxury Consignment said, “This is a wonderful event and a big boost for business and the town. It gives us a chance to meet and greet new customers and showcase our merchandise.”
Maria and Keila from Kio Yamato Optics added, “We had a lot of fun and love that we were able to get our product to the public.”
Raj, the owner of Medici Shoes, boasted, “The Sidewalk Sale and Night Out highlight how exciting and active our city is!”
A visitor from Tenafly, Nichole Temple, commented, “Englewood has everything!”
After three days of non-stop excitement of the Sidewalk Sale and Night Out, it was evident that the city of Englewood really does have everything, and it lives up to its tag line, “A Place for Everyone,” with great gusto.
Stay tuned for more
In addition to the Sidewalk Sale and Night Out, the ECC hosts many other major events and programs throughout the year. To see what’s coming up next, go to englewoodnj.org or Facebook.com/englewoodchamberofcommerce face book and #englewoodchamberofcommerce.
The Chamber gave a special thanks to the sponsors of the Sidewalk Sale and Night Out: Valley National Bank, NVE Bank, Englewood IHOP, Prestige Volvo, Lincoln and KIA and Keller Williams David Siegel.
All photos by Hillary Viders
