Harlem holds Main St. sale

Each year vendors gather for a huge yard sale in Harlem. This year, the yard sale will be under new management and held in a new location.

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The Harlem Merchants Association has taken over the annual Trash to Treasure event from city officials and created the Bargain Block Bash.

In previous years, the event was held at the Methodist church as a citywide yard sale.

"We are going to do the booths down Main Street, so that they're in front of our businesses now, because at the other one (Trash To Treasures) it attracted a lot of folks to Harlem," said Lee Ann Meyer, the Merchants Association publicity chairman.

Those who visited Trash to Treasure seldom ventured off church property to visit other Harlem merchants, Meyer said.

"We have about 20 or so vendors, plus the businesses will be running specials and that kind of stuff. For our first year, we're pretty excited about it," said Meyer.

Beyond the obvious business motive for the event, Meyer said it also is meant to inspire a sense of community.

"Bargain Block Bash is to encourage the citizens of Harlem to get out, spend time together and to invite folks to Harlem to see what Harlem has to offer," said Meyer. "It's going to be a nice fall day to start your Christmas shopping."