The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Businesses take part in community garage sale
The city of Oberlin held its annual citywide garage sale on Sept. 2.
Numerous locations across the city took the opportunity to de-clutter as autumn approaches. Area residents could try their hand at finding vintage items in just about every category imaginable.
3 Doors Studio at 121 S. Main St. was participating for the third consecutive year. After being stymied by early afternoon showers, shopkeeper
Laurel Kirtz reopened where she was hoping to find a new home for vintage clothing and other items acquired over the years.
An artist’s collective in a Victorian-style house featuring studio space for area artists, the Oberlin native saw the community garage sale as an opportunity to meet different people and entertain. She said she got involved three years ago after returning to Oberlin after a stint living on the East Coast.
“I heard about it just randomly and I helped just de-hoard this enormous collection of clothing,” Kirtz said.
“It’s a tradition. This is the third year I’ve ever done it. I have basically everything. It’s mostly clothes but I have a lot of stuff. I’m a professional dehoarder,” she said.
Ratsy Kemp of Ratsy’s Store on 27 S. Main St., has been participating for the last 12 years and her sale on West Lorain Road had vintage bicycles, photos,
“It’s a tradition. This is the third year I’ve ever done it. I have basically everything. It’s mostly clothes but I have a lot of stuff. I’m a professional dehoarder.”
— Business owner Laurel Kirtz
clothing and miscellaneous antiques sprawled out across her yard.
“For me it has. I’ve only been here 12 years and every year I’ve done it,” Kemp said. “I sort of liquidate old stock.”
Her sale featured many of the items regularly found in her store where she specializes in vintage clothing and other exotic items from decades past. It was one of several local businesses to take part, providing Oberlin bargain hunters and garage sale enthusiasts to hunt for new and unique items.