Al Van Iten helps out shopper Jenny Phillips with her purchase of a teak shower set at the Royal Rummage Sale. Van Iten said he appreciates helping out the charitable effort while getting to meet interesting people.
Photo by Dana Kampa
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Whether hunting for a present for the grandkids, restocking kitchenware still in need of replacement from the 2024 hurricanes, or simply looking for a little something special, hundreds of shoppers found a reason to check out this year's Royal Rummage Sale.
The two-day sale started March 6 at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.
Some newcomers to Longboat Key were surprised to see such ardent attendance for the event, where the early-bird sale had pre-opening lines wrapping throughout the parking lot all the way to Gulf of Mexico Drive. The earliest of the early birds even brought their lawn chairs so they could secure a prime place in line then get a little relaxation in before diving into the packed hall.
Longtime residents know the end-of-winter sale is the place to be for deals on clothes, board games, artwork, furniture, kitchen equipment and more.
Over the past few years, the sale has repeatedly broken records for attendance, and this year appeared to be on track to do the same.
Kay Kochenderfer, president of the Women's Guild, said the crowds for the early sale were fantastic, at least on par with attendance in recent years. She said she sought to keep the lines moving quickly without completely overcrowding the hall, but shoppers just kept coming.
The rummage sale has a charitable focus, with funds supporting the Women's Guild activities and student scholarships. But it also is a social highlight of the season, where friends get to reconnect.
To learn more about the scholarship fund, visit StMaryLBK.org and click on the "Women's Guild" tab.
Gene Susi McClain greets incoming shoppers at the Royal Rummage Sale on March 6 at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church.
Photo by Dana Kampa
The line of shoppers getting a prime spot for the early-bird opening of the Royal Rummage Sale extended well past the church parking lot out to Gulf of Mexico Drive.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Ginny Akhoury returns for duty as "Sheriff of the Sale" at the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church fundraising early-bird sale March 6, bidding everyone luck in finding their treasures.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Shopper Stephanie Claussen said she wanted to get to the Royal Rummage Sale early to check out the jewelry selection.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Mary McConnell, Robin Cefalo and Kathy Sever team up to keep things running smoothly in the clothing section of the Royal Rummage Sale.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Volunteers Regina Jellicoe and Susan McVeigh Jones keep things moving in the clothing section of the Royal Rummage Sale.
Pam Bradley and Linda McAuliff
Photo by Dana Kampa
The art and fine wares section of the Royal Rummage Sale was abuzz with shoppers at the early-bird sale.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Jenny Phillips, who recently moved to Longboat Key from Minnesota, was thrilled with her finds at the Royal Rummage Sale.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Kelly Zyblock and Yvonne Jordan, early shoppers at the Royal Rummage Sale, said they found gifts for the grandkids and kitchenware that needed to be replaced post hurricane.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Classic wooden toys were among the finds at the Royal Rummage Sale.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Volunteer Liz Kolber runs into her cousin, Sue Hajduk, at the Royal Rummage Sale.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Shoppers were browsing elbow-to-elbow at the early bird Royal Rummange Sale.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Maureen Testa, Jolana Popcak, JoAnne Kizer and Betsy Bauernschmidt
Photo by Dana Kampa
Tracy Feldmann runs the "Secret Garden" flower decor table at the Royal Rummage Sale.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Maria Gomes and Maggie Oberst volunteer at the art section checkout table.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Claudia Comeau said she found several good finds at the Royal Rummage Sale, including a fun new bowl.
Photo by Dana Kampa
Julia Graziano, co-chair of the Royal Rummage Sale, said she was grateful so many people turned out this year.
Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.
