Deep discounts and fun for Iowa City's Sidewalk Sales

The word on the street is sales.

The Iowa City Downtown District's annual Sidewalk Sales is back for the 56th consecutive year from Thursday, July 18 to Sunday, July 21.

Local retailers both downtown and in the Northside neighborhood flock to the sidewalks with tables and tents, selling merchandise at a steep discount.

The Sidewalk Sales are downtown Iowa City's biggest annual retail event and one of the city's longest-running traditions. More than 20 storefronts participate in an effort to clear out their inventories, including crowd favorites like Dulcinea and Ten Thousand Villages and even newer stores like Cielo.

"The Sidewalk Sales has been a beloved tradition in Iowa City for over five decades," the director of marketing for the Iowa City Downtown District, Christopher Hunter, said. "Bringing together locals and visitors to explore the diverse range of shops. From trendy fashion boutiques to quaint bookstores, there's something for everyone."

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The Sidewalk Sales also help promote local business. It's not only a time to shop for good deals but also a chance to get reacquainted with the downtown corridor.

"We always hear feedback that a lot of people never knew that some of these stores existed when it comes to, like, our shop crawl events," Hunter said. "People are constantly being introduced to the stores, and it helps push people to explore the other options in downtown."

Dubuque Street construction creates small obstacle

The ongoing Dubuque Street Reconstruction project, which began in March, has impacted nearby businesses, like Prairie Lights and Catherine's.

The Downtown District launched a gift card incentive program to encourage customers to support local Dubuque Street retail shops and restaurants during the final stages of construction. Customers who spend $150 or more at participating Dubuque Street Businesses will receive a $20 ICDD gift card. The program runs until Aug. 8.

To qualify for the gift card, save and submit up to five readable, itemized receipts totaling $150 to $5,000 through the ICDD form. Receipts must show the date, business name, and purchase total. Taxes, tips, delivery fees, and shipping costs are excluded.