By Logan Neill, Times Staff Writer
Friday, November 5, 2010
Taw Norton, 11, left, flips through an old magazine while perusing sales displays Friday afternoon during the Brooksville Historic District Porch and Yard Sale on Brooksville Avenue with his uncle, Ralph Sizemore. The community sale continues today from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
BROOKSVILLE — Normally, you don't find much traffic along South Brooksville Avenue at 8 a.m. At that time of day, the cobblestone streets are mostly inhabited by dog walkers and folks out getting some fresh morning air.
But on Friday, things were different.
Cars began arriving in the quiet neighborhood shortly after sunrise, piloted by yard sale browsers looking for deals. People strolled up and down the sidewalks checking out tables filled with antique glass, bric-a-brac and everything in between.
In addition, a number of the neighbors also offered home-baked goods for sale. Those who tired of shopping could also take horse-drawn carriage rides along the oak-lined streets.
"For being our first event, we've had pretty good turnout so far," said Ann Weipz, organizer of the first Brooksville Historic District Porch and Yard Sale.
"We probably had a hundred people here the first hour and then it tapered off,'' she said. "But we're hopeful to get an even better turnout on Saturday."
The sale, which continues from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. today along South Brooksville Avenue, Oak Park, Lulu Street, East Liberty Street, Early Street as well as along portions of Main Street, is something of a grass roots effort by Weipz and her neighbors to draw attention to the residential area south of downtown, known for its stately pre-World War II homes.
Weipz, who hopes to make the community sale an annual event, said she originally hoped to persuade about 20 homeowners to participate, but as word spread, she was soon flooded with calls.
"People are always having yard sales. We just thought it might be nice to arrange for everyone to have one at the same time," said Weipz, who in addition to selling items on her own porch, also sold cider and baked goods to shoppers.
"It's a fun way for people to get to know this part of Brooksville," she said.
Ed and Elizabeth Tyner learned about the sale in a newspaper ad. Both avid yard sale hounds, they spent the morning looking for antique glass collectibles.
"I think we got here a little late for the good stuff," Elizabeth Tyner said as her husband looked over items at a table operated by Kit Raymond of the Starfish House. "It was very enjoyable. The homes in this area are so beautiful."
At her home on Liberty Street, Linda Clafin cheerfully welcomed visitors throughout the morning. Although business was a little slow on Friday, she hoped things would pick up today when more people were off work.
"I really like the idea," she said of the community sale. "I'm for anything to get people to spend more time in Brooksville. We need a little more life in this town."
Logan Neill can be reached at (352) 848-1435 or lneill@sptimes.com