Photo courtesy of Mindy Strevy
Hundreds of items line the racks at last year’s Market on the Mountain sale.
Black Friday is still months away, but Birmingham shoppers can relieve their anticipation at local sales in September.
Butterflies and Bowties, Market on the Mountain and Whale of a Sale will each host individual sales. Donors will receive 70 percent of the profits, and each organization will invest the remaining 30 percent toward different fundraisers.
Butterflies and Bowties will host its third annual sale Sept. 21-24 from 4 to 8 p.m. for the first day, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the next two days and 8 a.m. to noon on the last day at Liberty Crossings United Methodist Church. Items for infants through teens, including clothing, furniture and toys, will be available.
“Something new we’re trying to start up is offering formal wear for children of all ages,” said Laura Cox, director of children’s ministry for Liberty Crossings. “Our goal through these sales is to raise funds for children and our community in the Greater Birmingham area.”
The staff at Butterflies and Bowties uses the money to buy books and supplies, clothing and children’s birthday party goods for those unable to afford them. Any items left after the sale are donated to The Lovelady Center and Urban Ministry.
“There was a lady who was trying to start her own day care for children with special needs. We helped her by donating rugs and toys,” Cox said.
Across town, Market on the Mountain’s fall sale will be at Mountaintop Community Church on Sept. 23 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Coordinator Mindy Strevy said the sale will offer maternity and children’s items such as bedding and bikes.
This year designates the seventh year of Market on the Mountain. The staff plans to use 30 percent of the sale’s proceeds to raise money for the Mountaintots Christian Day School, a day care program affiliated with the church.
“We hope to be using these funds to improve technology, such as purchasing computers and iPads. We want the classrooms to stay up-to-date,” Strevy said.
For items left unsold, consignors can reclaim them or let the staff donate to the day care or various parts of the community.
“We are able to provide very good quality items at a hugely discounted price, and since 70 percent of sales goes to the families who donated them, we are also helping them make a little more additional income,” Strevy said.
Shoppers can find Whale of a Sale at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church. The sale is scheduled for Sept. 15 from 5 to 9 p.m. and Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Jenny Ballentine, chairman of Whale of a Sale, said the sale’s 30 percent amount raised will be dedicated for supplies for the Vestavia Day School.
Leftover items will be donated to the Oak Mountain Missions Ministries.
“A lot of mothers come in because they can find a wide variety of children’s clothing in one place and at a good price,” Ballentine said. “We’re happy that we can offer that for them.”
