Borough unrolling the welcome mat for buyers and visitors

Stanhope - After 19 years of hosting town-wide garage sales, Stanhope officials believe they have the formula down so well, that they are sure this year’s will the best ever. The sale is set for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 19. Township Clerk Robin Klein said signs have been posted at strategic locations to attract visitors to the borough that day. According to Paula Zeliff-Murphy of the Stanhope Chamber of Commerce, organizers were surprised at the large number of people who came out to a pre-sale registration held recently at the Stanhope House. Zeliff-Murphy said that on both Saturday morning and Monday evening, people were lined up to have their addresses added to the official map. Zeliff-Murphy attributes the jump in registration from 38 last year to more than 80 this year, to the fact the chamber decided to forgo the $5 per family fee. She said in past years more people actually put out garage sale items than paid the fee. “Last year, there were about 20 more than those who paid. We didn’t care, but we’d like to have everyone on the map,” she said. The 80 homes listed on the official map are scattered around the borough. “We have some in the condos, along the river, in the center of town,” she said. Maps will be available starting at 8 a.m. at both the Stanhope House and Netcong Hardware along Route 183. The Stanhope House, which usually doesn’t open in the morning, will be open for breakfast that morning to cater to the people expected to visit the borough.