Business notebook: Prepping for Warwick's ‘Sidewalk Sale' in July

Warwick - The annual “Sidewalk Sale,” Warwick’s traditional and popular downtown district event, has been scheduled for three days beginning Friday, July 7, and ending Sunday, July 9. Many of the participating merchants take this opportunity to reduce inventories in preparation for the fall season. Others offer special promotions inside as well as outside their shops. Everyone is invited to stroll through the Village and take advantage of the special sales and promotions while enjoying zeppoles and hot dogs or relaxing at one of the downtown area’s outdoor cafes. And while mom and dad are hunting for bargains, the children can have their faces painted or gather around local children’s entertainer Melinda Marks Burgard as she performs songs from her CD. On Saturday afternoon there will be a live musical performance at the Railroad Green by the band, “Waking Gabriel.” And on Sunday, Gia Adamis, owner of the Willows Café, 16 Main St., will sponsor a pancake-eating contest. Big eaters should register for that event on Friday, Saturday or early Sunday. The Sidewalk Sale will feature merchandise offered by local businesses but many non-profit organizations are also invited to participate. The co-chairs for this year’s event are Tim Mullally from Style Counsel and Sue Loughren from The Toy Chest. “We’re inviting everybody to ‘meet and greet’ at our Sidewalk Sale,” said Mullally. Non-profit organizations, volunteers and entertainers are encouraged to participate. For additional information about the upcoming Sidewalk Sale call Tim Mullally at 986-9588 or Sue Loughren at 987-1133. Art exhibit at Who’s on First Visit Who’s on First antique shop and art gallery at 9 1/2 First St. this weekend and you may see some strange goings-on. Artist Daniel Laurence, currently a student at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, has arranged to have some people hang out, possibly lounging in their pajamas, to create a whimsical scene in advance of his upcoming art exhibition at the shop. “Everything I do,” he said, “I do to get a kick out of life.” Laurence, who creates what he describes as “Mixed media art,” will exhibit his works at Who’s on First from July 1 through Aug. 26. The exhibit will begin with a reception in the shop next Saturday evening, July 1, from 6 - 8:30 p.m. Visitors are invited to enjoy hors d’oeuvres, wine and other refreshments. Who’s on First is open each week from Thursday through Sunday. Live music on Railroad Avenue On Thursday evening, June 29, the Railroad Avenue Merchants are sponsoring the second of their Courtyard Music Series from 6 - 10 p.m. Tin Roof, featuring Mike Baglione, Suzy Arnowitz and outstanding fiddler “Rachel,” will be performing Blue Grass favorites outside in the Courtyard. “We are hoping to draw diners and shoppers down to the village on the last Thursday night of each month during the summer by creating a festive, cultural atmosphere on Railroad Avenue,” explained Maura Peddle, owner of BiNK, Essential Baby Gear. Additional events, such as Movies in the Courtyard and Dancing in the Courtyard are planned to round out the cultural experience. All events are free to the public, courtesy of the Railroad Avenue Merchants. This coming Thursday, Zana D will be serving dinner outdoors and as a special treat, La Petite Cuisine will also be open. Other stores, including The Eclectic Eye, Jenna & Co., BiNK, Sweetbriars, The Pear Tree and B. Page & Co., will be open for shopping until 8 p.m. Oops! Last week we inadvertently referred to the Village Grill, once in the text and again in the photo caption, as the Warwick Grill. We regret any inconvenience this may have caused.