Deborah Prescott | Daily Press Vinny Orzeo, middle, counts back change to a customer Saturday during his family’s rummage sale in Escanaba. His mother, Donna Orzeo, right, said it was a good way for her son to experience managing money.

ESCANABA — Even though there is a coronavirus pandemic, garage, rummage, and yard sales are popping up everywhere in the area this summer, offering customers a plethora of items to choose from. People putting on a sale do it for the same reasons — owning too many things, make a little money, getting ready to move, for example. But how well are customers adhering to COVID-19 CDC guidelines when approaching someone’s property. People are advised to continue wearing face covering, washing their hands, and staying 6 feet apart.

“The majority of people didn’t wear masks — 10 out of 250,” said Escanaba garage sale host Jamie Fisher.

Some customers were more timid entering a garage compared to browsing outside. Many people were described as being courteous of others and keeping social distancing in mind.

Planning and organizing a sale takes a lot of time. Fisher said she had pre-sales Wednesday and Thursday, in addition to Friday and Saturday.

“We have so much and had to get it out of the house,” said Fisher. “It has been non-stop. It’s crazy busy.”

Many people having a sale described it as busy, or seeing a constant flow of customers.

“My mother-in-law, Ellen Fisher, was a huge help and I couldn’t have done it without her,” said Fisher.

Escanaba resident Joanne Barnett is selling everything, including her house.

“I’m downsizing and selling the house to move to Arizona where my church family and friends are,” said Barnett. “My sister Brenda Floyd and friend Emily LaBlanc helped me.”

Barnett had her sale Thursday through Saturday and before the end of Saturday she only had two items left.

“The sale has been very profitable, very good,” said Barnett.

Barnett, Floyd and LaBlanc said there were more people wearing face masks on Thursday and customers always stayed apart.

Vinny Orzeo worked the ‘checkout’ table at his family’s rummage sale under the guiding eye of his mother Donna Orzeo. The Orzeos recently moved and Donna thought it was a good time to sell 25 years of ‘stuff’.

“Rummage sales are fun and social, a great way to meet the community. I’ve seen people I haven’t seen in a long time and new neighbors,” said Donna. “It’s also a good way for my son to get use to handling money.”

The Orzeos had their sale for two days and had a lot of people looking for deals.

“This has been awesome,” said Donna.

Escanaba will have a citywide yard sale on July 18. Contact the Daily Press office for ways to add your address to the list and map.