For many, the winter months mean spending time indoors and seeking refuge from the chilly temperatures. Central Street’s InSidewalk Sale served as the ultimate solution: an event allowing customers to shop comfortably inside, protected from the elements. 

The sale took place Jan. 24-25. During the final hours of the sale, Central Street’s sidewalks maintained their business as people strolled from storefront to storefront. At certain businesses, like Backlot Coffee, customers waited in lines streaming out the front door in eager anticipation of making a purchase. 

Alicia Mohr, store owner of the new Alicia Mohr store, opened her business on Central Street in August. 

“This is my first time [participating in] this sale, so I can’t really compare it to last year’s event,” Mohr explained.

Based on this year’s turnout, she saw how sidewalk sales like this one encourage more people to visit Central Street, especially during the wintertime.

Unlike Alicia Mohr, the Notice boutique has remained in its location on Central Street for years. Ginny Meanen, Notice employee of 12 years, has engaged in several sale experiences in a variety of weather conditions. Despite the fact that the sale attracts more customers in the monotony of the winter, Meanen acknowledged that the event does not play a role in the building of community between businesses on Central Street.

For Meanen and the other employees at Notice, summer sales are much more exciting, as the nice weather significantly increases the number of passerby.

Although the winter sidewalk sale has passed, Evanstonians can look out for more information about upcoming events, like the summer sale, if they are interested.