Scott City sale expands to Commerce

The Scott City Chamber of Commerce plans to incorporate Benton and Kelso into the sale later.

The Scott City Chamber of Commerce plans to expand its citywide yard sale this year by including Commerce, Mo.

Reaching out to Commerce is only the first phase in a long-range plan to expand the event further by incorporating Benton and Kelso later on. If successful, the move would make the citywide sale more of a regional sale somewhat similar to the 100-Mile Yard Sale that takes place Memorial Day weekend along Highway 25. The Scott City sale occurs over the Labor Day weekend.

This is only the sale's second year, said Scott City Chamber of Commerce treasurer Chaundra Mason, but the sale was so successful last year the chamber was compelled to make the event larger.

"We had people calling in January wanting to know when we were going to have it and if we were going to have it," she said.

The sale is open to all Scott City residents and those outside the city with a Scott City address (and in Commerce if things go well). Residents can be included in a pamphlet distributed by the chamber by contacting the organization before printing. The pamphlets should be available by mid-August.

Like the 100-Mile Yard Sale, the Scott City sale is seen as beneficial to the local economy. Mason said the sale attracts visitors who spend money at gas stations, restaurants and other stores.

Mason, who owns Paradise Flowers and Gifts, said last year's sale helped her business, partially by raising its profile among local people.

"I had my yard sale in front of my shop, and it drew in a lot of people into my shop that didn't even know we were here," said Mason. "It makes people aware of what is actually in their town."

The sale also serves as a showcase to outsiders, who can see the homes and services the city has to offer in case they're considering a move to Scott City.

For more information on the sale or to be included in the pamphlet, call Mason at 264-2117 or Karen LeDuer at Timeless Treasures and Antiques at 264-2525.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182