Rain or Shine, Rosemount’s City-Wide Garage Sale Just as Popular

Minnesota’s notoriously unpredictable weather conditions made no difference to excited garage sale shoppers Saturday, who grabbed their Rosemount City-Wide Garage Sale maps and went searching for outstanding deals and hidden treasures throughout the community .

Residents who sold their belongings during the popular annual event, coordinated by Rosemount Parks and Recreation, watched both downpours and sunshine from their garages and driveways, while still offering everything a bargain-hunter could possibly seek.

And it wasn't just about getting rid of unwanted stuff, or finding great deals. The annual Rosemount City-Wide Garage Sale involves families coming together, and neighbors becoming much more neighborly. Each year, it's about running across the stuff of memories—and creating new ones.

In her first year taking part in the city’s big Garage Sale, Kati Fohrenkamm teamed up with her sisters, Rosemount residents Jenny Tauer and Teri Klopp. They were joined by their mother, Pat Lassek, who came all the way from Red Wing for their garage sale, which they held both Friday and Saturday.

According to Fohrenkamm, the weather wasn't nearly as much of a factor in operating the business as the day of the week.

“To be honest, it was horrible [Friday]. it was super-slow … and I saw that other homes weren’t getting a lot [of customers] either,” Fohrenkamm said. “Today [Saturday], it’s been pretty busy: lots of steady traffic … even while it was pouring. I mean, there were people with umbrellas running in. And especially this afternoon," once the weather improved.

The family made their garage sale atmosphere even more lively and fun, enjoying margaritas with their neighbors and serving free cheese balls to visitors. Meanwhile, inside their garage, a customer discovered a guitar for sale and tested it, playing chords from “La Bamba.” He negotiated its price down from $40 to $30.

At another house in Rosemount, Sally Revolinski sat with her husband, Ron, in their driveway, greeting interested shoppers.  She described the yearly tradition and its routine:

“A quarter, 50 cents, a quarter, 50 cents. Got to sell my stuff,” she smiled.

She’s very familiar with this. For the past 30 years, Revolinski has been hosting garage sales in Rosemount—sometimes even twice a year—which, added up, has become a meaningful experience. She she has watched her children’s belongings, from as far back as their infant years, go away sold; through the years, the garage sales continued to carry possessions spanning their lifetimes.

She added that meeting her neighbors and getting to know them during the city-wide event is “really, really fun.”

“We get to meet a lot of nice people,” she said.

“That’s the fun part,” agreed her husband, Ron.