PHOTO COURTESY STEVE FRENE
Shoppers take advantage of deals at stores across Berlin during the Summer Sidewalk Sale. The discount-filled weekend will take place Aug. 9-11.

By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer

(Aug. 8, 2019) If the past is any indicator, hundreds of residents and visitors will take advantage of discounts this weekend during the Summer Sidewalk Sale in downtown Berlin.

“It just gives people a chance to go shopping [in] downtown Berlin, and be able to enjoy the weather and get a good deal,” said Ivy Wells, Berlin’s community and economic development director.

The Summer Sidewalk Sale will take place from Aug. 9-11 at a variety of stores across downtown Berlin. Shops will also be open late Friday evening as part of the Second Friday Art Stroll on Main Street. The event will go on rain or shine.

“The beautiful thing about Berlin is we have plenty of awnings,” Wells said. “So weather is not an issue.”

Steve Frene, owner of Victorian Charm, organizes the annual summer discount extravaganza, and said the event’s been going on for 63 years.

“It’s one of the longest events running in Berlin,” Frene said.

Frene said Style Guide, a clothing and shoe store for men, women and children that formerly occupied Town Center Antiques on Main Street, used to hold the event as a way to move out their summer seasonal items.

Frene said the store closed 25 years ago, and he and his wife, Debbie, picked up the annual promotion where Style Guide left off.

“We’re just carrying on the tradition of organizing it and making sure it happens,” Frene said.

He added it’s a popular event that many discount lovers show up for.

“We have a lot of people that do actually plan their vacations around it,” Frene said.

While it’s considered a townwide event, Wells said the following stores were confirmed to have discounts this weekend:

• Bruder Hill will have 50 percent off select items with $20 and $30 racks available.
• Bruder Home will have $5, $10 and $15 racks available.
• Fathom
• Heart of Gold Kids
• Patty Jean’s Boutique will have 20 to 50 percent off sale items and 50 percent off summer merchandise.
• Treasure Chest Jewelers will have some Christmas decorations and display cases selling below cost.
• Una Bella Salute will offer 10 percent off a $30 purchase.
• Victorian Charm will offer deals ranging from 50-75 percent off.
• Viking Tree Trading Company
• World of Toys will have items ranging from 30-50 percent off.
• Yuppy Puppy

Although, Frene said the type of discount is at the shop owner’s discretion.

“So from a consumer standpoint it’s a … way for folks to buy great merchandise at a really good price,” he said.

Moreover, as area merchants clear out some inventory with steep discounts, Frene said some even get a jump on future purchases.

“We see a lot of people actually start their Christmas shopping because you can really get some great gifts for somebody,” Frene said.

For shoppers like Wells, the Summer Sidewalk Sale allows people to take advantage of discounts all weekend long.

“I love coming down to the sidewalk sale because I never get a chance to actually shop downtown because I’m always working, so I look forward to it every year,” she said.

Additionally, shoppers can take advantage of tax-free apparel and footwear items that are $100 or less from Sunday, Aug. 9 to Saturday, Aug. 17, according to the Comptroller of Maryland’s office.

Frene said the deals themselves should entice shoppers to come out to the Summer Sidewalk Sale this weekend.

“I think anybody who is interested in saving money should come out because they’re going to be some fantastic bargains, and as far as clothing and handbags and jewelry, it’s a great opportunity,” Frene said.

Contact Frene at 410-641-2998 for more information about the Summer Sidewalk Sale.