Most of the about 50 vendors who sold items at the Giant Possum Town Yard Sale, Saturday at the Hitching Lot Farmers Market, agreed the event is worth repeating, especially considering today”s economic woes.
“It”s been good,” Larry Glover, of New Hope, said of sales Saturday. “We”ve had a lot of good traffic. Every little dollar helps.”
Glover said he”d return for another yard sale, if one is held.
“It”s good publicity,” he explained. “It lets people see you and gets your name out.”
Heather Klegin, of Caledonia, also said she”d return as a vendor.
“I think we did good,” she noted. “There were a lot of people out here, more than just when they hold the regular Farmers” Market.”
“We made some money and had a good time doing it,” Paul York, who sold with Klegin, added.
“I would imagine it”s probably a good motivator,” Klegin said of the economy stimulating people to sell — and buy — at thrift markets or yard sales.
“I”ve had a great time, really lots of fun,” said Linda Kay Downing, a vendor from Columbus. “I saw lots of friends and lots of customers. I thought it was the perfect day. I thought (the event) was well-planned.”
Asked if the economy pushes into involvement those who otherwise wouldn”t be inclined to participate in flea-market type events, she responded, “Maybe so, (for) shoppers and sellers perhaps.”
“I think the economy is causing people to buy thrift things,” said Jo Ricks, a vendor from Caledonia. “They may not have bought used clothes (before) and now they will.”
“I thought it was a good thing,” she said of the yard sale. “I would like to see them do it twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. I heard several people comment it”s a good thing we”re all here together.”
“I haven”t sold much, but I”ve seen a lot of people,” said Willie Bell, a vendor from Columbus. “I think (the economy impacts shopping habits). I”m surprised at the number of people that are here today that wouldn”t normally go to a carport sale.
“Oh yeah, I hope we do (have it again),” Bell added.
“It”s been a nice day,” said Charlotte Reid, a vendor from Ackerman, who sold brightly colored furniture. “The weather”s been really cooperative. We”ve met lots of old friends and that was fun.”
“Honestly, around here, it”s not hurt people a lot,” Tony Rose, a vendor from Steens, said of the economy. “I”m selling just as much (as I normally do). We can”t tell it”s hurting people, not here.
“I hope they”d have one once a month,” he added of the Giant Possum Town Yard Sale.
“I”ve had some sales and visited with people I haven”t seen since high school,” said United Way of Lowndes County Executive Director Jan Ballard, who sold some items, including an old typewriter, at the event.
“I think people are out looking for bargains,” she added, noting many were selling their wares following their “spring cleaning” efforts.
“I didn”t hear one negative thing (about the event),” said Main Street Columbus Manager Amber Murphree. “Everybody was very happy and pleased; everybody had a real successful day.”
The event benefited the Hitching Lot Farmers” Market; a new season of the market begins April 25.
The Palmer Home for Children also received about two truck-loads of donated items.
“On vendor fees alone, we made $1,000 and that doesn”t include the food sales,” Murphree said, estimating about 1,000 people attended the event.
“I think it was a win-win for everybody, the people that were there selling their items, as well as the Farmers Market,” she added, noting the yard sale “definitely” will become an annual event, and possibly a bi-annual event.
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