Honey, it’s the ‘Sale of the Century’ next week in northeast Wichita

It’s quite a claim to call something the “Sale of the Century,” even confined to northeast Wichita, but the assertion just may be correct in this case.

That’s what Trish VanOsdel of VanOsdel Estate Sales is calling next week’s liquidation of the First Place, the more than half-century-old store in the Comotara development at 29th North and Rock Road.

First, a quick reminder:

As the inimitable owner Helen Galloway explained earlier this year, she’s not completely closing her store. She’s downsizing and relocating next to her current space at a small spot she used to use for storage.

Still, that means a whole lot of merchandise — rugs, antiques, home decor, furniture, art, Christmas decorations, a bit of clothing and some jewelry — will have to go along with some fixtures, display cases and storage racks.

“I can’t even tell you how much stuff there is,” VanOsdel said. “There’s such an amazing range of eras, everything, every decade you could imagine is probably here. There’s some sort of example.”

There are about a half-dozen pods behind the store loaded with items from storage. Galloway even is bringing in some things from home.

“I have to tell you, I was going to get rid of this, and that was it and walk on, but honey, I love these people,” Galloway said of her plans to remain in business in the smaller space. “They come from all over the state and ask for me.”

She said that’s why even at 94, she has to keep going and find ways to give back.

“Honey, I have been blessed in life, and I have to spread it around.”

Galloway doesn’t want to say too much about the new space, which won’t be open for next week’s sale, out of deference to VanOsdel and her sale.

“I’ve got to be fair with her. . . . Because everybody’s going to want to come here, right?”

And she’s fallen in love with VanOsdel.

“Well, honey, she’s delightful.”

That’s even though Galloway advised VanOsdel, “God, get a name they can pronounce.”

Aside from liquidating a family business, VanOsdel normally handles residential estate sales.

She said those sales tell “the story about a person’s life in a way. The things they choose to surround (themselves) with and the things they enjoy sharing with other people.”

This sale tells something of the story of Galloway’s life.

As she explained a couple of years ago when the store turned 50, Galloway never intended to open the business.

“I thought I was happily married with two lovely children, and my husband decided he wanted a divorce. . . . I was crushed. . . . Then I thought what am I going to do for the rest of my life?”

What she did was, arguably, become the doyenne of the Wichita retail scene.

The sale will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 24 through July 26 and noon to 4 p.m. July 27.

On the first day, items will be full price followed by 25% off on the second day, 50% off on the third day and 75% off on the final day.

Galloway will share more details on the new store closer to the time it opens.

“The store will be surprisingly wonderful.”

In the meantime, she’s eager for her big sale, perhaps with some lines out the door.

“I hope the weather is good for this, because don’t you think it looks like fun?”