Yard Sale Attracts Shoppers
Published: May 10, 2007
ADVERTISEMENT
More from this channel:
Search for more information:
With the scent of turkey legs and pork cooking in the air, homeowners welcomed bargain hunters Saturday to the Westchase garage sale.
The deed-restricted community conducts two garage sales a year. Another will be held the first Saturday in October.
In some areas, normally gated neighborhoods opened their doors so visitors could browse. Quiet streets became clogged with traffic.
Front lawns, garages and driveways displayed various items, including toys, baby strollers, books, clothing, furniture and knickknacks.
From a pile of stuffed animals at a Kingsbridge Avenue home, Emma Bintz, 4, of Tampa snatched up a pink Care Bear nearly matching her height.
Clutching it, she followed as her mother, Bethany Bintz, 30, went looking for bargains.
Bintz said her daughter has a Care Bear purse and movie at home, and she couldn't resist buying the big bear for 50 cents.
Some "big ticket" items were posted online before the sale, including televisions, sofas, leather chairs and a 1912 piano.
Jeanette Sarbacker said she seized the opportunity to get rid of items. She and her husband, Don, who is accepting a teaching position at Southeastern University in Polk County, are moving in a couple of months.
"I hope I sell everything," she said. "I'm trying hard."
Along with buying second-hand merchandise, hungry customers found food booths set up on the sidewalks.
Some homeowners broke out their grills to cook hotdogs. Little girls sold lemonade for 25 cents or would give away a free glass to those willing to play a game of hopscotch.
Under a white tent, members of the Tampa Youth Mission kept busy filling orders of turkey legs, and grouper and pork sandwiches. The nonprofit group was raising money for a summer mission trip to Honduras.
"We build homes, and we take a lot of clothes and bulk food," said Keith Boyer, 44, a youth minister. "We go to the poorest of the poor areas."
Reporter Jason Geary can be reached at (813) 865-1505 or jgeary@tampatrib.com.
