Most street fairs and other community events are the result of weeks—if not months—of meticulous planning.
Or other times you can just wing it.
Call it the Main Street Fair of Almost Complete Spontaneity, if you will. Jacqueline De Leeuw and Gab Demino, owners of the Comfy Komodo and Java Gypsy, which opened earlier this year next to the Gourmet Gallery and known for its eclectic collection of clothing, art and other furnishings, had been displaying some of their merchandise on the sidewalk for most of the summer.
Knowing they’d be on the sidewalk again on Aug. 19, they asked a Lisa Kleber at nearby Village Sundaes if she’s like to get involved.
Within five minutes, or maybe a little longer, word spread up and down the block and before anybody could say “Sold!” most of Main Street was on board.
Main Street merchants and vendors set up on the sidewalks and created what could be described as a market with the DNA of Woodstock and H&M.
“We’ve been here a few months and we’ve been successful selling outside,” said De Leeuw. “A few others said they’d like to do the same thing.”
Kleber, who recently opened Main Street Depot, which sells Aventon e-bikes, next door to Village Sundaes signed on and told more businesses.
With the success of their first street event De Leeuw said they’d like to make it a monthly event. And they won’t over plan it.
Joe brings decades of journalism experience to the Ridge View Echo, covering everything from local school boards to the U.S. Supreme Court. A former National Law Journal editor and Columbia Law School press officer, he now enjoys telling community stories in Blairstown, where he lives with his wife, Rose, and their two dachshunds.
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
