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Community Yard Sale

June 2, 2012 raindate June 3rd 9-3pm

We're excited!  This is our first community yard sale, so I hope you'll join us in making it a success.  

We've reached out to our block captains to help organize their blocks and reached out to the general email list to create participation. We've created a flyer that you can share or post in your favorite coffee shop or on your front stairs.

We'll create an interactive google map of participants and have it available on our website for reference as well as have a map pickup location at 2037 West Bradley Place.

Getting the word out: We'll put ads in Center Square Ledger, the Reader, Time Out Chicago, Everyblock as well as post it on our Facebook page and send out an email announcement to our email list.  Please like it when you see it!

We also have our signs that stick in the ground that we can have a ryder put on top that says, "Community Yard Sale this Saturday!"  These are great, since you can't put things up on sign posts but you can stick these in the ground.  We will have them on the corners of blocks that are participating if we get permission from the corner property owners. (Another gorilla tactic is putting a car on a busy street with a sign on it.)

We'll also try and organize a pick up for afterwards with Purple Heart and any other specialty pick up that would benefits: i.e. books, things for Paws; electronics?

Our goal is 60 houses this year, and I think we'll make it.  What we've learned from the garden walk is that the more people you have around you, the bigger draw for the area.  So by organizing some neighbors to join you, it will draw people to your sale and also create more buzz for next year's event.

We have a sign-up so we can start working on the map.  If you could share it with anyone who wants to be part of this, that would be great.  Although we're working hard to create community, and we'd love people to join us in this, you do not have to be a member to partake in the yard sale.  People are also not going to be put on our mailing list. The email is purely for organizing this event.

Sign up to be put on the map.  If you are not already a member, please considering joining!

As far as the permits go, our initial email blast about it was incorrect.  Everyone must have a permit.  Here is the link to the permit application.  You will need an id with your address on it or a proof of residency. You can fax it to the alderman but we'd prefer you fax or send it to us, so we can keep it all together and make sure you are on the map.

Email us or fax us at 773-935-2880.  The deadline is May 19th.

From a neighbor, here is a link to Avery preprinted yard sale labels.

 

Also, some pointers to remember:

1. Have change (coins and bills) available.

2. Have lots of bags and newspaper available.

3. If you're selling something electric, make sure to have an extension cord/outlet available so buyers can be sure it works.

4. Make sure your merchandise is out and you're ready to start selling when the yard sale opens.  It's really annoying to go to a house and have an empty table out there with people saying to come back in an hour - chances are, they won't come back.

5. Send emails notices about the sale to everyone you think might be interested.