Sidewalk Sale Planned to Boost Business

Merchants will hold a sidewalk sale during business hours Friday through Sunday at the outdoor San Fernando Mall.

The sidewalk sale has been held monthly since February in an effort to boost the local economy, said Joe N. Sandoval, president of the Greater San Fernando Area Chamber of Commerce, the event organizers.

Sandoval said he expects up to 20% of the approximately 150 businesses on or near the mall to display merchandise.

“We’ve been trying to get more businesses to participate,” Sandoval said. “Over the course of the year, my feeling is it will grow.”

Merchants will be set up along San Fernando Road between Brand and San Fernando Mission boulevards.

Farid Khalili, owner of Target Discount Rugs and Gifts, said he saw a slight increase in shoppers during recent sales and hopes the events can expand.

“Any advertising to get the people here is a good thing,” said Khalili, who specializes in Asian-style area rugs.

But Khalili would prefer the city or chamber start an event more similar to the farmers market and festival that closed San Fernando Road to vehicles at the mall on a series of Sundays last fall.

Those “worked great for me,” Khalili said. “A lot of people came.”

Mike Sohn--owner of That’s U, a clothing store on San Fernando Road--participated in the sidewalk sale last year but will not participate this weekend.

“There’s not much foot traffic,” he said. “It’s not worth it.”