by Otto Mezei
Chestnut Hill’s annual Royal Rummage Sale, held the last weekend of July, drew visitors from across town – a cherished tradition that began about 60 years ago. The three-day event, featuring discounts at local shops and restaurants, has long been a community staple, drawing people from all walks of life to this historic neighborhood.
A staple of Chestnut Hill for decades, the sale offers something for everyone. Visitors found everything from discounted books to unique home goods and local culinary delights in the town’s diverse selection of shops and restaurants.
However, the Royal Rummage Sale was almost entirely different in its early years. According to Alex Bartlett, curator and archivist at the Chestnut Hill Conservancy, the event was initially created in response to the suburban shopping malls that opened in the area after World War II. Local stores needed a way to compete.
“In the early years, there were plans to ‘colonize’ the storefronts,” Bartlett said. This planned initiative was aimed at giving the city a more unified feel.
However, Chestnut Hill ultimately chose a different path. Rather than standardizing its appearance, the city embraced diversity and allowed each business to maintain its unique identity. Today, no two businesses along Main Street are alike, adding to the neighborhood’s charm and appeal.
Bartlett also revealed an interesting historical piece of information:
“When the sale was in its infancy, they almost changed it to ‘Chestnut Hill’s Clean Sweep Days,'” Bartlett said. But “Royal Rummage Sale” stuck and has since become synonymous with summer shopping in Chestnut Hill.
For some local business owners, the Royal Rummage Sale is a rite of passage. Maura Harris, who recently opened her store EMBER, celebrated her first sale as an owner. But her history with the event goes back much further.
“I worked at various stores on the Avenue, but one store I worked at in the ’90s was a candle shop. That was pretty much my job throughout high school,” Harris recalls. “I remember the event because I grew up in the area, and it was kind of an exciting event.”
Harris emphasized the importance of the event to the community: “When we organize events where people feel like they have a connection to the history of the community, it’s a beautiful way to make everyone feel welcome and part of something bigger.”
“People who come in this week and buy a huge stack of books aren’t paying a lot,” said Debra Gress Jansen, owner of the bookstore. “It’s fantastic for store owners and customers because you get a great deal on something you’ve either been looking for a long time or maybe you didn’t even know you were looking for.”
Jansen, who grew up in the area and attended the sale before becoming a shop owner herself, added: “It’s a relief because we depend on it. When you go to some of your favorite stores and see what they have on sale, you can get some really great bargains. As a consumer, it’s just fantastic.”
The Royal Rummage Sale is a testament to the power of tradition and community in an age of online shopping and big box stores. By bringing together locals and visitors, merchants and consumers, the event fosters a sense of connection that resonates throughout the year. For shoppers and business owners, it’s not just about the discounts or the thrill of finding a bargain; it’s about being part of a long-standing tradition that celebrates the neighborhood’s unique character.
