To promote local Ames businesses, Main Street is having its semi-annual Sidewalk Sales July 9-12.

Expect to see local businesses with their doors open, merchandise on the sidewalks and lots of sales.

Historically, sidewalk sales promotions have generated significant foot traffic for local businesses.

Jake Talbott, owner of Treats on a Leash, uses the sale to help reset the store by selling out-of-season merchandise.

“For the sidewalk sales, we’re just focusing on our clearance items,” Talbott said. “Anything that is a slow mover for us or something that’s maybe out of season.”

Talbott noted an increase in foot traffic for Treats on a Leash during past sidewalk sales, from people looking to snag a good deal to those just excited to participate in the event downtown.

“It’s a way to get a new crowd for us, which is good for exposure,” Talbott said.

Candi Waelti-Johnson is the director of Worldly Goods. She said they’ve participated in sidewalk sales but hadn’t had an outdoor display before.

“It’s just another way to have everybody see our things and know about our mission,” Waelti-Johnson said. “And I just think with the farmers’ market going on at the same time, it’ll be a great opportunity for you to have our mission be seen.”

She mentioned that most clearance will be 50-75% off.  

“Usually, our foot traffic has increased quite a bit. I’m just hoping to increase it a little bit more by, you know, being outside,” Waelti-Johnson said. “And I just want to participate a little bit more in it fully than we have before.”

For the full list of deals and participating businesses, go here.