■ Some say COVID shutdown allowed more time to prepare
-
Ashley Vollers and her daughter Aspen of St. Paul were among the many people checking out the tables filled with items at the Westside Covenant Church during the two-day citywide garage sale. News-Register/Kurt Johnson -
George and Tammy Chaney were among the 56 hosts participating in the third annual citywide garage sale in Aurora. News-Register/Kurt Johnson
Bargain hunters were out in mass Friday and Saturday throughout Aurora enjoying the third annual citywide garage sales event.
Co-coordinator Jill Held said she and Angie Vetter have always enjoyed garage sales and decided in 2018 to launch a citywide effort.
“We always go to the one in Henderson and decided we should just do one here,” she recalled. “We work together and we love finding good deals, so we have that in common. This year is our biggest yet with 56 participants, which is pretty awesome.”
Held and Vetter weren’t actually sure earlier this spring if a citywide garage sale would or could happen this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and related safety protocols.
“We’re in Phase 3 now so people seem more comfortable with it,” Held said. “There are a few who would prefer to wear masks and people are being respectful with their mask preference.”
George and Tammy Chaney, who had tables filled with items for sale at their home on Birchwood Street, observed that there were some people wearing masks Friday morning, though most were not. COVID did have an impact, however, on their decision to participate this year.
“When you are not working you have a lot more time to go through stuff,” George reported. “The COVID purge is kind of what I like to call it. It’s a lot of work, but it’s also a lot of fun. It’s just nice to see people out enjoying themselves a little bit looking at things.”
The Chaneys noticed good traffic at their garage sale, which they attributed to the coordinated citywide effort.
“If it was just a regular garage sale we probably wouldn’t have done this,” George admitted, “but seeing how it’s citywide it’s kind of fun. Whatever we don’t sell we will donate to Goodwill so it’s kind of a win-win for everybody.” Across town at the Westside
Across town at the Westside Covenant Church on 1st Street tables were spread all over the lawn for this year’s event.
“Normally we would have our annual ‘Come to the Table’ event,” explained Nancy Seeman. “We have decorated tables inside, which has kind of become a tradition, but this year we couldn’t do that because of COVID.”
The Women’s Ministry group coordinated the church’s garage sale effort, with all proceeds earmarked for three African missions.
“Hopefully we can raise close to $1,000,” Seeman said. “We’re taking donations and people have been very generous so far.”
