By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

ALLY LANASA/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Patty Jean’s Boutique on North Main Street in Berlin will have an apparel rack starting at just $5 as part of the annual Summer Sidewalk Sale downtown this weekend.Side

(Aug. 13, 2020) The Summer Sidewalk Sale, Berlin’s longest running event, having begun more than six decades ago, is expected to bring hundreds of visitors and residents downtown Aug. 14-16 to take advantage of discounts.

Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director, said stores have been putting racks outside almost every weekend due to the pandemic, but the annual sale will bring a larger volume of markdowns.

“What makes it even sweeter is that it falls during Maryland’s tax-free week,” Wells said.

Shoppers can take advantage of tax-free sales on clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less as well as tax-free sales on the first $40 of a backpack. According to the Comptroller of Maryland’s office, the state’s tax-free shopping week ends on Saturday.

Downtown businesses will stay open until 8 p.m. on Friday as part of the 2nd Friday festivities that will include wine tastings at Sisters, 113 N. Main Street, and live music.

Stevenson’s Crossroads will perform on Commerce Street and Xander Jett will perform at the Atlantic Hotel.

The following stores are confirmed to have discounts this weekend:

Treasure Chest Jewelers will have 50 percent off select items in the store.

World of Toys will have tables outside with products up to 50 percent off.

Bruder Hill will offer 50 percent off all summer apparel, 50 percent off shoes and 10 percent off jewelry.

Bruder Home will have up to 50 percent off of select items in the store.

Una Bella Salute will offer a buy six get the seventh bottle of olive oil or balsamic vinegar free (mix and match) sale with some restrictions.

Fathom will have a small discounted apparel rack.

East and Main will have 50 percent off summer styles and new fall arrivals.

Patty Jean’s Boutique will have a rack starting at $5.

Victorian Charm will have 30-75 percent off select items. All Ugg pajamas, robes and slippers will be 40 percent off and all Tidewater flip flops will be 30 percent off.

Heart of Gold Kids will offer 40 percent off all summer clothing, 30 percent off bookbags as well as a 50 percent off rack.

Emily Cook Vocke, Heart of Gold Kids owner, said it’s her biggest sale of the year.

Viking Tree Trading Co. and Dreamweaver are also participating.

All of those who click going or interested in the Berlin Summer Sidewalk Sale Event on Facebook will be entered into prize drawings for Berlin gifts donated by local businesses and the grand prize of $100 in “Berlin Bucks” to be spent downtown.