Get your walking shoes ready; the annual Coolidge Corner Sidewalk Sale comes back to Brookline on Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28. During the weekend, businesses set up shop outside their stores to provide special promotions and connect with the community on a one-on-one basis. A favorite town event, the sale is sponsored by the Coolidge Corner Merchant’s Association, which promotes local businesses and further connects the tight-knit Brookline community.
Carol Sapoznik, the owner of the artisanal food store Olive Connection on Beacon Street, has participated in the sale for two years now. In keeping with tradition, they’ll set up in the parking spot across from the store with a five-dollar table, a ten-dollar table and food samples galore. “People are always drawn to a bargain and to sampling, and that kind of triggers curiosity about what else is there,” says Sapoznik. “It’s all about the hunt, and it’s all about discovery.” For a little guided discovery, she recommends popular summer favorites at the shop like fruity olive oils for dressing salads and seasoning rubs for barbecue.
On Saturday the Olive Connection tent will feature a special guest, Quicksilver Baking Company, which will be selling their famous frozen rugelach. Made to be popped in the oven at home, the rugelach comes in both sweet and savory flavors like caramelized onion with blue cheese and walnuts or cinnamon, brown sugar and walnut. On Sunday Olive Connection will have another surprise guest.
Sapoznik also says the event is helpful to tourists and new residents, who are often coming into the neighborhood during the summer months. “There’s a lot of first-timers,” she says. Those would-be residents can swing by the Coldwell Banker tent on Beacon Street to chat with realtor Danielle Schlesier about the local housing market. Schlesier has been participating in the sale for three years and offers brochures for adults and balloons for kids.
“This event highlights so much of what we love about living and working in Brookline. We’re a vibrant town with a robust business community, and that is all on display at the sidewalk sale,” says Schlesier. “As realtors in Brookline, we support local businesses and what better way than to join them than by being a part of this fantastic event?”
Whether you come for the deals (like 80 percent off some merchandise at Magic Beans) or to pick up a Cape-themed hostess gift at Olive Connection, the Sidewalk Sale is sure to be a uniquely Brookline experience.
“I think it’s just really fun,” says Sapoznik. “It’s another reason to come to Beacon Street and Coolidge Corner. It creates some really nice activity.”
