By Karen Zautyk
KEARNY –
Okay, all you yard sale, garage sale, sidewalk sale junkies. The weekend you have been waiting for arrives this Saturday/Sunday.
For two days, the Town of Kearny will be turned into one phenomenal bargain-hunter’s dream. From 9 a.m to 4 p.m. on Oct. 1 and 2, you will be able to go nowhere in this community (except maybe the wilds of Gunnell Oval) without encountering potential treasures.
As of press time, more than 250 sellers had registered for the 2nd annual Kearny Urban Enterprise Zone Townwide Yard Sale. And the calls were still coming in.
“This is nonstop!” KUEZ director John Peneda told The Observer. The number of homes holding sales has already surpassed the 2010 tally.
Last year brought the first such sale sponsored by the KUEZ, and it was wildly successful — well beyond what the town had hoped for. So successful that, for 2011, it has been expanded from one day to a full weekend.
A map of the sellers’ addresses in 2010 was covered in dots marking the sites, from the Harrison line to the Belleville Pike and from the Passaic to Schuyler Ave. East side, west side, all around the town. It was impressive, especially considering that the project was brand new.
One of the objectives of the project was to introduce Kearny to out-of-towners, and this–thanks in part to publicity on Craigslist and Facebook–apparently succeeded. “There were a lot of out-of-state license plates,” Peneda recalled.
There should be a repeat of that, since treasure-seekers willingly travel great distances in hopes of finding that item they just can’t live without, or the missing link in their collection of whatever, or the hidden prize that will get them on “Antiques Roadshow” and put mucho dinero in their bank account.
But even if you’re not after treasure, events like this are just a whole lot of fun. And for the sellers, they’re a chance to make some $ while divesting homes/garages of clutter.
There’s still time to become a seller; contact the KUEZ at 201-955-7400, ext. 8041 for info. Retail businesses are also encouraged to participate, and a number of local shops and restaurants will be offering specials this weekend.
After Sept. 28, you can download a map of the sale sites (residential and retail) at www.kearnynj.org. Printed copies will be available, also after Sept. 28, at Town Hall, the Public Library, the KUEZ office and participating KUEZ businesses.
On Saturday and Sunday morning, maps with coupons from UEZ stores and restaurants will be available at an info table in front of Town Hall, 402 Kearny Ave.
New this year is a digital map, available via iPad or smart phone, at http://g.co/maps/8cckv. It shows not just the sites, but what is being sold at each, the better to plot your hunt. In order to be listed on the digital map, sellers must register with the KUEZ by Sept. 29.
On Saturday, bargains can also be found at the main library, 318 Kearny Ave., which will be holding a book/CD sale in the downstairs assembly room. Also on Saturday, there will be a flea market at St. Cecilia’s School and the Girl Scouts will be hosting another at the Scout House, 635 Kearny Ave.
On the off-chance that sellers have items left over after the weekend, not to worry. The KUEZ reports that, on the day of the sale, St. Cecilia’s may pick up unsold items. Call 201-991-1116 to make arrangements.
Other organizations that may be able to help with item pickup are:
· Goodwill-Harrison, 973-481-2300
· The Salvation Army, 201-991-1115
· Vietnam Veterans of America, 1-800-775-VETS (8387) or www.vva.org.
