Paula Chesley lives in East Isles.
My neighborhood Super Sale experience began the day before the annual event, which was on Sept. 13 this year. As a buyer, I armed myself with $1 and $5 bills — faster and more universal than Venmo, despite my friends’ teasing. I studied the map, targeted dense blocks and multi-family sales, and emailed my partner a list.
As a child, I learned garage-sale wisdom from my grandma: show up on time and always bargain. A third rule — know when to walk away — came to mind at 8:55 a.m. in Lowry Hill when I spotted a new KitchenAid mixer priced out of reach.
Biking with a backpack and big blue Ikea bag proved to be the smart move. At my friend Quinton’s sale on Irving, repeat customers snapped up his men’s clothes, netting him $580.
Later, I found Sarah’s coats — Calvin Klein and North Face — for $3 each. No bargaining needed.
We also bought bracelets and played kids’ games, then took a lunch break before returning for “buyer’s market” deals in the afternoon. I bargained a foosball table down to $3, and at a Bluebird and Blooms sale, a volunteer persuaded me to buy more while sharing the nonprofit’s mission of bringing flowers to memory care residents.
Walking home with a second full Ikea bag, I overheard visitors marveling at our neighborhood’s charm. That evening, Quinton hosted neighbors on his porch, while others laughed with friends beside piles of unsold items waiting for pickup.
The Super Sale isn’t just about bargains. It’s economic development, community-building, and a reminder of what makes our neighborhoods special.
Neighbors across Hill & Lake neighborhoods came together this September for the annual Super Sale, turning streets and yards into a lively marketplace of treasures, bargains and community spirit. (Images: Courtney Cushing Kiernat)
