Above / Dean DeGeeter, founder of Dean’s Clothing, now owned by his son, Greg, takes a moment to reflect on changes in downtown Naperville.
Even before the carillon bells chimed for the 10 o’clock hour this morning, many merchants were set up along the sidewalk and inside their shops, anticipating the tradition of the annual Summer Sidewalk Sales in downtown Naperville.
Glorious sunshine and seasonal temperatures without humidity created an inviting environment on Thursday. Now for three days, through July 13, shoppers can find values at the Main Street Promenade, under awnings all along Jefferson Avenue and on streets throughout downtown Naperville that lead to River Square. Tents are set up behind Anderson’s Bookshop near the Paw Paw Parking Lot and in the private parking lot at Dean’s Fine Clothing, located at Main and Jackson.
PN’s first stop was Dean’s where Dean DeGeeter overlooked racks and tables of merchandise for women and men discounted by 50 percent.
DeGeeter, who established Naperville’s oldest clothing store in 1959, reminisced about bygone days when shoppers lined up all along the sidewalks to find deals under the big tent.
“Back then we had a couple of cash registers going all the time and people waited to enter,” he said. “Naperville had a much smaller population, but sidewalk sales were a much bigger deal when they first started.”
DeGeeter was mindful of the way marketing downtown sidewalk sales has changed. “The Naperville Sun used to put together full-page spreads, even several pages of advertising sometimes,” he recalled.
Then DeGeeter gestured to the building adjacent to Dean’s property along Jackson Ave. (now the Pottery Barn), explaining it had been owned by Naperville Sun publisher Harold White, and that the Naperville Sun offices had been located there until the mid-1990s before they moved out to Ogden Ave. “Today, the Sun no longer has offices in Naperville,” he added.
Considering the 56 years of sidewalk sales under his belt, few merchants in downtown Naperville will have more memories than DeGeeter, though he no longer is involved with the day-to-day operations of the independent men and women’s clothing store. His son, Greg DeGeeter, now runs the business.
Over at Gotskind’s Shoes and Clothing, another long-time merchant in downtown along Jefferson Ave., the manager was straightening a display of boxes of sneakers and sandals. “Summer sidewalk sales are just part of doing business,” he said. “You expect to participate in them every year.”
Large window signs in the shops along the Main Street Promenade boasted savings of 60 percent, 70 percent and even 80 percent off.
With hundreds of shopping destinations and more than 40 eateries, downtown Naperville promises to provide a memorable experience. Whatever your taste— one-of-a-kind boutiques, small independently-owned businesses or national favorites—you’ll find plenty to whet your appetite, even if you’re “just looking.”
Free Concert in Central Park at 7:30PM Thursday
What’s more, North Central College with several art galleries; Naper Settlement, the city’s outdoor history museum; and the Riverwalk are just steps from the central business district. Plan to spend the day with an itinerary that includes visits to the city’s many cultural amenities, including Century Walk, an exhibit of outdoor art.
Plus, at 7:30PM Thursday, the Naperville Municipal Band will perform its weekly summer concert in Central Park, also located in downtown Naperville. This week’s free concert features the NMB Jazz Band, sponsored by Q-BBQ Restaurant. The Ice Cream Social will be hosted by the DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church.
So come on downtown! As Petula Clark would sing, “Just listen to the music of the traffic in the city… Linger on the sidewalk where the neon signs are pretty. How can you lose? … Things will be great when you’re downtown… No finer place for sure, downtown…”
Everything’s waiting for you—especially during Summer Sidewalk Sales under clear skies.
For more information, visit www.downtownnaperville.com.
