Downtown Lawrence Sidewalk Sale Guide 2015

By the time the sun rises Thursday, shoppers will be hitting the streets for the 56th annual Downtown Lawrence Sidewalk Sale. With about 100 businesses participating, stores in downtown Lawrence will be offering the discounts that have been getting people out of bed early for years.

While the rows of racks and tables lining the sidewalks draw crowds, don’t forget to go inside to shop as well, said Sally Zogry, director of Downtown Lawrence, Inc.

“Just because they’re not out on the sidewalk, it doesn’t mean they aren’t participating,” she said, noting that some merchandise has to stay indoors to avoid the heat.

The sale goes on rain or shine, and there will be five cooling stations where shoppers can sit down indoors and have free water, Zogry said. Several food vendors will also have pop-up restaurants and stands along Massachusetts for those who want to grab-and-go.

So whether you like to plan your route or prefer to wander, here’s a small sample of what the sale has to offer from sunup to sundown. And for those making a day of it, locations of cooling stations, food vendors and restroom areas are also included.

600 Block

Waxman Candles, 609 Massachusetts St.

Waxman will have a table inside (for obvious heat-related concerns) that will offer accessories and home decor. All votive candles will also be $1 each, no limit while supplies last.

Winfield House, 647 Massachusetts St.

Winfield House, which sells home furnishings, will have discounts from 30 to 70 percent on items such as furniture, linens, framed pictures and other home decor.

700 Block

Food vendor: Air Summer Snow, in front of the Eldridge Hotel

Cooling station: Eldridge Hotel, 701 Massachusetts St.

Portable toilets: in the lot between 715 and the Eldridge Hotel

Dusty Bookshelf, 708 Massachusetts St.

Bring your books to buy, sell and trade at the Dusty Bookshelf.

Newcomer:Ruff House Art, 729 Massachusetts St.

Keep it green with the eco-friendly paper goods at Ruff House Art. The letterpress stationery brand and print studio offers greeting cards, stationery, wedding invitations and other paper goods.

Newcomer: J. Lynn Bridal, 731 Massachusetts St.

J. Lynn Bridal, which offers formalwear, shoes and accessories, will be offering discounts indoors.

Made, 737 Massachusetts St.

This “modern handmade shop” features handmade items such as kitchenware, decor, and bath and body products from various artists. Made will be offering a 10 percent discount on everything in the shop and a table inside with a variety of items — including candles, pillow covers, and bath and body products — for up to half off.


Cooling station: Peoples Bank, 745 New Hampshire St.

800 Block

Portable toilets: In the breezeway between the Antique Mall and Ernst & Son Hardware

Food vendor: Fine Thyme Food, 801 Massachusetts St.

Wonder Fair Gallery, 803 1/2 Massachusetts St.

Check out Wonder Fair for quirky and creative local gifts, art and stationery. Various items will be marked down, ranging from 20 to 75 percent off.

Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop, 804 Massachusetts St.

Select men’s and women’s outdoor apparel will be 30 to 75 percent off, and there will be discounts on kayaks and stand-up paddle boards. Stock up for winter on select styles of SmartWool socks for half off, and check out the table of $5 and $10 items.

Food vendor: Honey Bear Fruit Pops, 808 Massachusetts St.

Fortuity, 809 Massachusetts St.

Fortuity will be offering clothing, jewelry and accessories for up to 90 percent off retail price.

Cooling station: Pickleman’s Gourmet Cafe, 818 Massachusetts St.

Love Garden Sounds, 822 Massachusetts St.

Flip through CDs and records at Love Garden Sounds. Bring your own music to sell or trade and take advantage of some discounts inside the shop.

Ernst & Son Hardware, 826 Massachusetts St.

Ernst & Son will be offering a 10 percent discount on its brewing supplies as well as markdowns on select items.

Ten Thousand Villages, 835 Massachusetts St.

Check out products from around the world at Ten Thousand Villages, a fair-trade retailer of artisan-crafted home decor, personal accessories and gift items from dozens of countries.

Jock’s Nitch Sporting Goods, 837 Massachusetts St.

Jock’s Nitch will be offering up to 50 percent off shoes, workout apparel and Kansas University T-shirts. The store will be bringing in apparel from its warehouse for the sale and will offer several racks of items for under $10.

900 Block

Food vendor: La Familia Cafe & Cantina, 900 Massachusetts St. (U.S. Bank Plaza)

Weaver’s, 901 Massachusetts St.

Whether your looking for clothing, cosmetics or kitchenware, Weaver’s will be offering discounts of up to 75 percent off.

The Toy Store, 936 Massachusetts St.

The Toy Store will have a range of different toys for 50 percent off. Come inside and check out the book or science section, too.

Aunt Nancy’s Face Art , 944 Massachusetts St.

For the young and young at heart, Aunt Nancy’s Face Art will be offering face painting.

1000 and 1100 blocks

Urban Outfitters, 1013 Massachusetts St.

Doors at Urban Outfitters, which offers women’s and men’s fashion apparel, footwear and accessories, will open at 5 a.m. Look for an additional 50 percent discount on sale items.

Cooling station: The Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St.

Newcomer:Lucky Dog Outfitters & Pet Supply, 1027 Massachusetts St.

Shopping for a pet? Lucky Dog will have dog and cat items, including toys, costumes, accessories, leashes and collars, and dog and cat treats, for discounted prices.

Cooling station: Watkins Museum of History, 1047 Massachusetts St.

Mass Street Soda, 1103 Massachusetts St.

Cap off your shopping excursion with a specialty soda. Mass Street Soda offers more than 1,000 varieties of soda from all over the world to choose from.

More Sidewalk Sale coverage