Market Day keeps focus on sales

July is typically a dead month for retailers, but not on Market Day.

“Across the country, July is a slow month [for merchants],” Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce Director Suzan Doidge said. “In our community so many people have beach homes and lake homes, and they spend a lot of time away. [Market Day] brings people into the village to get some great deals.”

The annual day of sales across Mountain Brook Village is set for Saturday, July 18 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. This is the event’s 14th year, and while the chamber has looked at adding more festivities to the event, merchants want the focus to remain on the sales and the unique merchandise shoppers can find.

 “It’s an opportunity for the merchants to purge some of the things they have in stock,” Doidge said. “It’s been going on long enough that people put it on the calendar.”

Over the years, Marguerite’s Conceits has become known for its $10 tent, and The Lingerie Shoppe for its sale setup in the alley next to the store. This year, The Impeccable Pig will be participating for the first time, and Iberia Bank will be serving popsicles.

The event began 14 years ago with a slightly different focus — Bastille Day. Jean Clayton, who owned Christine’s until she retired earlier this year, wanted to clean out her inventory to make room for fall shipments. Inspired by a recent trip to France, she decided to enlist the help of fellow merchants to hold a French-themed event on Bastille Day, a French holiday commemorating the storming of the Bastille. 

Red, white and blue streamers hung from lamp posts streamed in the wind. Clayton brought back “Viva La France” buttons and berets from France for merchants to wear. Strolling accordion players provided music during the day, and a Cajun band provided music in the afternoon. French poodles processed in a parade. There were end-of-summer sales at 12 to 15 stores in the village.

After three years with Bastille Day, the event evolved into Market Day, held on the third Saturday in July. The event, now organized by the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce, dropped the French theme in the fourth year to focus on growing popularity of the sales — the centerpiece of the day that remains today.

For more, visit welcometomountainbrook.com.