What seemed, on casual observation, to be diminished participation, by both merchants and shoppers, in Thursday’s sidewalk sale lends support to the Lawrence City Commission’s decision to at least discuss different strategies for promoting downtown Lawrence.

The annual sidewalk sale has been a signature event for downtown for many years. People who lived in Lawrence and many from out of town would even take the day off work to spend the day shopping for bargains along Massachusetts Street. It was an opportunity for merchants to clear out summer merchandise and assorted leftovers in their storerooms and a chance for nonprofit organizations to set up tables and make some money.

It will be interesting to hear how downtown merchants assess this Thursday’s sale. Maybe sales were strong, but just walking up and down the street, the sale seemed to lack its usual energy and enthusiasm. Some stores were actively marketing their wares, but a number of long-time downtown businesses chose not to open early or put merchandise outside; others had only a token presence. Empty storefronts seemed to leave more than the usual gaps between merchant tables. And the crowd seemed thin compared with past years.

Could it be that the annual sidewalk sale has outlived its heyday? Would more promotion or more special activities have increased participation? Or is it just time to try something else?

Those and similar questions may be behind the City Commission’s decision to discuss how it will use the $45,000 it has set aside in the budget for the marketing of downtown Lawrence. For many years, that money has gone automatically to Downtown Lawrence Inc., the nonprofit organization that promotes downtown. Now, however, commissioners have decided to at least consider that there might be better ways to spend the city’s money.

It could be that Downtown Lawrence Inc. again will receive the funds, but it’s still important to send the message that the city’s funding shouldn’t be assumed. And it’s a reminder that doing things “the same old way” may not be the best strategy for Downtown Lawrence.

Most Lawrence residents consider our downtown to be one of the city’s gems. Some think the way to preserve that gem is to put it under glass and keep it just the way it is, but life doesn’t work that way. Things that don’t grow and change eventually wither and die.

The annual sidewalk sale is a nice tradition, and we hope Thursday was a successful day for downtown merchants. Nonetheless, it might be time for downtown to look beyond the tried and true for some more dynamic approaches for promoting their businesses and attracting visitors.