Garage Sales Abundant Last Weekend in Armstrong County

by David Croyle

An estimated 10,000 people attended garage sales this past weekend, enduring only brief periods of rain and enjoying temperatures in the 80’s.

Peggy Tate holds a garage sale every June and October at her Harrison Street home behind Flynn’s Tire in West Kittanning. She and her daughters hand-pick many of the items that are a part of her inventory.

“It’s usually things that I won’t be using and someone else might think it is a treasure.

Sandy Saville is Peggy’s daughter. Sandy said that old vinyl records were very popular this year in addition to silk flower arrangements.

“We sold a variety of things. We sold a lot of clothes, house wares, games, puzzles. A lot of people are looking for kids’ things, electronics. We sold a lot of records and cigarette lighters.”

Lori George from Smicksburg was with her three friends at Peggy’s sale for a special outing. The group spent the day going from sale to sale that was advertised in the Kittanning Paper.

“Ladies’ Day - just the ladies getting out. We’re all friends. Our Ladies’ Day happen very few and far between so we cherish them.”

Peggy said the best day for yard sales is on a Friday.

“It’s a little slower on the second day, but yesterday, it was magnificent. There were cars everywhere!”

Vicki Bigley, Peggy’s neighbor, agreed with Peggy. Vicki just moved into the neighborhood. Her two daughters joined her in putting together a three-family garage sale that was held at the same time as Peggy’s.

“Friday it was non-stop people. Today was not good, but is still was good.”

Vicki didn’t have to search far to find items to sell.

“Actually, we just got married and we had double of a lot, so we got rid of what we had doubles of and what was in the garage and attic.”

Vicki said many items will be donated to the Salvation Army, but not all of it.

“Some of it we will put back and maybe have another yard sale - but not any time soon! It’s a lot of work. It’s not worth it to be honest!”

Vicki’s daughters disagreed and vowed to encourage their mother to continue.

A few miles up the road, Stephanie Croyle on Bunker Hill Road in North Buffalo Township was finishing up her sale for the day. She said it takes a lot of preparation to hold a sale.

“We were up at 6, but last night we didn’t finish until mid-night.”

Stephanie said the most people coming to the sale was around 11AM, but that the crowd started coming much earlier.

“They were here starting at 8AM and we started at 8AM.”

Stephanie said there was no particular item that sold more than others.

“Actually a little bit of everything. Toys, clothes, house items.”

Stephanie said that she plans to transfer the items that didn’t sell to a friend’s house, Felicia George, who lives in Elderton. Felicia said there may be more opportunity to sell more because of her location.

“(Her house) sits more back in so its harder to get more people back here. Where I live, I am more right in town. So I think I get more people because I am in town. So we will try it over there.”

Meanwhile, Zak Sweeney of Manorville didn’t have to stay long at most of the sales he attended over the weekend. He was looking for items in one category: tools!

“A lot of tools have a lifetime warranty, so I go around and see if I can find tools that are old, broken, second-hand tools that I can turn in and get new ones for and have perfectly working tools for cheap! Craftsman, Snap-On - most of the major brands have lifetime warranties - even Stanley up at Wal-Mart have lifetime warranties. So if I can find cheap tools, that’s really what I look for.”

Zak had advice to newbies who are just starting to go ‘yard sale-ing’.

“You have to get to yard sales early, though. Most people pick them up quite early.”

In addition to Manorville and North Buffalo Township, sales were being held in Worthington, Ford City, and Rural Valley. Kittanning had many individual sales, including a three-day sale at the First Church of God on Woodward Avenue. At that sale, baked goods were the first to go!

You can hear a complete list of yard sales planned for the weekend on “Garage Sale Friday” - a special segment during the WTYM AM 1380 morning show, “David & Friends”, between 9-11 AM on Fridays.

The Kittanning Paper also offers a special rate of $10 to run your listing for the full five days before your sale (15-words). To list your sale, call the Kittanning Paper office at 724-543-NEWS (6397). All major credit cards accepted. Ask for a free sign when placing your ad in person at the office between 9:00 AM and 3:30 PM Monday through Friday.

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