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Labor Day weekend is almost here. As summer draws to its ceremonious close, there's no better time for one last yard sale.
Though this isn’t just any yard sale. This is the Tour Route 7 60-mile Yard Sale.
As the name suggests, sales span the length of Route 7 from Hubbard all the way up to Conneaut in neighboring Ashtabula County. This three-day event brings bargain-hunters and treasure-seekers through some of Trumbull County’s most charming rural communities.
What will you find on this tour of Route 7? Antiques, furniture, glassware, fresh produce – and just about anything else you can imagine.
You’ll also find wineries, coffee shops, bookstores, and artisan crafts along the way.
So, buckle up and get ready for a scenic drive and plenty of shopping.
Along the Route: Hubbard
The first permanent settlers came to Hubbard in 1801. It grew into a village in the latter half of the century after coal mines were established, attracting European immigrants. Today, the city of Hubbard is home to around 10,000 residents, including many who are descendants of those original families.
The city is also home to plenty of excellent dining shopping, much of which is located right along Route 7!
If you’re in the market for antiques – and you must be, if you’re a yard sale fan, Extending Grace home décor offers vintage, repurposed and new creative works by local artists and collectors.
Wine on the mind? Or craft beer? Or mead, for that matter? Stop by Woodland Cellars for artisan drinks and a creative menu is a casual environment. This locally owned dining destination offers some of Trumbull County’s favorite hamburgers (try the Hot Mama Burger), along with fun apps, wraps, and salads.
And if you need a pick-me-up after all that eating, you can swing by KT’s Coffee Talk. This charming walk-in shop has a full coffee and tea menu as well as some fun fizzy drinks.
What About the Yard Sales?
You may be thinking, what’s the strangest thing I could find at the Tour Route 7 60-mile yard sale?
Well, during 2023’s sale, one person reported seeing an 8-foot yellow stuffed dinosaur.
Buyers have also found vintage suits, rocking horses, and even loose nuts, bolts and screws.
This year, more than 20 sales promise vintage copper figurines, beer steins, cast iron pans, and leather, along with wreathes, tools, cottage and farmhouse decor, melting wax, jewelry, and license plates. And of course, there will be plenty of antiques and unusual finds!
Some sales will have a plethora of items from multiple sellers, including one this year hosted by 23 families! Another sale just off Route 7 on Stewart Sharon Road in Brookfield will donate proceeds to the National Bone Marrow Registry.
It just goes to show, there’s certainly no shortage of stories along the Tour of Route 7!
Along the Route: Hartford Township
You won’t want to miss this quaint, rural stop along Route 7. The five-square-mile Hartford Township was organized in 1811 and has a population of less than 2,000 people!
Hartford is perhaps best known for Hartford Orchards, which has been growing apples since the 1940s. In the late summer you can choose from about a dozen varieties, along with seasonal produce like butternut squash, pie pumpkins, and spaghetti squash, at the market located on State Route 305 – just off Route 7.
If you prefer your fruit fermented, you need go no further than Hartford Hill Winery and Brewery. Hartford Hill offers flavorful blends from a “quirky” semi-sweet Riesling to fruit wines including peach and blueberry. Or you can grab apps, food-fired pizza, or sandwiches and choose from the selection of ales, lagers, and stouts, all while enjoying this upscale rustic venue.
Also located within Hartford Township is Sharon Speedway, the oldest continuously running dirt oval racetrack in the country. The 3/8-mile dirt and clay track has been operational since 1929!
What About the Yard Sales?
The Tour Route 7 60-mile yard sale is in its 14th year. It started as a smaller community sale and grew to the two-county, three-day event it is today.
Veteran bargain-hunters know the sale well and will tell you it’s always good to go in with a plan.
Here are some pro-tips for successful shopping:
Check the official list for the times and dates of sales. While the Tour Route 7 7 60-mile Yard Sale lasts three days, some sellers only participate for two days, and times vary.
Major stops include the Yankee Lake area.
Plan your bathroom breaks. These are yard sales, often at people’s homes, and their bathrooms aren’t necessarily open to visitors. But there are plenty of gas stations, restaurants, and coffee shops along the route. You can stop in, hit the restroom, and grab a drink to go!
And speaking of drinking, stay hydrated! Labor Day weekend may mark the “end” of summer, but late August and early September can still be hot and sunny. Keep some water on hand, and maybe wear some sunscreen, too, because once you start hitting sales, you won’t want to stop.
Along the Route: Kinsman Township
If you are a lover of quaint town squares, sprawling local bookstores, antiques, and good eats, Kinsman is the place for you.
Market Square, located, as the name suggests, right on the square, claims the title of largest used bookstore between Columbus, Ohio, and Buffalo, New York. You’ll also find some oddities here, like wallpaper, records, dishes, and – well, who knows what else. But perhaps Market Square’s most unique feature is a 1950s soda fountain that still serves up ice cream sodas, malts, and milkshakes.
Kinsman’s also has a spattering of architectural jewels, including the Peter Allen Inn.
Now an event venue, upscale inn, and restaurant, the Peter Allen Inn was once home to the town doctor. Today, it’s a favorite destination for Trumbull County locals and visitors alike. The restaurant sources much of its food locally and serves delicious eats for lunch and dinner. The inn also offers tea service and boutique tea parties by reservation!
Market House Café is located in what once was the town hall. This rustic café offers your classic coffee menu along with a robust menu of farm-to-table features, including breakfast, burritos, and burgers! You can also peruse a selection of local wares, groceries, and crafts.
So, hit the road Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 for fun, food, and found treasures on the Tour Route 7 60-mile Yard Sale.
