St. Mary preps for Royal Rummage Sale

The early-bird preview for the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Royal Rummage Sale isn’t until noon on Friday, March 3, but some people will be ready hours in advance.

Rummage sale co-chairwoman Ingrid Wisniewski is expecting shoppers to start lining up around 9:30 a.m as they have in years past. She said some people bring chairs, snacks and drinks to tide them over until the doors open.

The Royal Rummage Sale has been a staple of the church for the past 10 years. However, Wisniewski said St. Mary has hosted a rummage sale every year since its inception in 1973. But in the past decade, the sales have grown, earning it the royal moniker.

The church collects donated items from the end of July through February. From clothing and linen to shoes and luggage, the sale has something for everyone.

“It’s everything that you can use in a household, from picture frames to pots and pans to dishes and silverware,” she said.

The only things you won’t find at the sale are large entertainment centers and old television sets. No one buys them, Wisniewski said. They don’t sell mattresses, either.

The items come from people all across Longboat Key and beyond. In return, the proceeds go to local charities.

The charities, Wisniewski said, “range from both faith-based and interdenominational charitable activities,” Wisniewski said.

The early-bird sale costs $5 and runs from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, March 3. The sale is free and runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 4. Both will take place at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church, 4280 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Don’t worry if you can’t make it to the early bird sale, Wisniewski said. She expects a big crowd Saturday because plenty of items are available.