Area stores are taking their business to the streets this weekend during the annual East Lansing Sidewalk Sales.

Starting June 22 and running through Saturday, downtown businesses, in conjunction with the city of East Lansing, put on the sales hoping to draw more customers to the area.

Matt Rouhan, manager of Silver Streak and Krazy Katz, 317 E. Grand River Ave., said the store, which is reaching its 10th year of business, gets more business during city-sponsored events.

"We feel (the sidewalk sale) is a great thing the city does," Rouhan said. "It gets older people to come in who might not smoke tobacco, but might buy our silver jewelry."

Rouhan also said he looks forward to these three days since there's less business during the summer months.

"When the student population goes down, it's nice to have something that brings people in," he said.

"We've been fortunate to be able to stay open for 10 years."

Some said they were surprised at the turnout of both participating businesses and the amount of customers.

Beyond the Wall, 225 E. Grand River Ave., was the only store that put merchandise out on the sidewalk along its block on Thursday.

Generally the sidewalk sales bring in more people, since the summer tends to be the slowest business time, said Laura Crawford, manager of the store.

"I'm a little shocked this year that no one's out here," she said.

Tim Dempsey, community and economic development administrator, said the numbers of people shopping for the sales has been down.

"Historically, we have done better because in recent years there have been more merchants, and we have seen a slowdown because less merchants are participating," Dempsey said.

"The planning commission has been in talks for different ideas that might liven it up a bit."

Some stores, like the Student Book Store, 417 E. Grand River Ave., started covering up their merchandise because of rain around 1 p.m. Thursday and were eventually forced to bring the sales indoors.

Mike Wylie, assistant manager of the Student Book Store, said there was nice weather on Thursday morning, but that they'd wait to see if it cleared up to bring the merchandise back outside.

Some customers were disappointed the sales had to move inside.

"I was really excited until I got there and realized the sale was inside instead of outside," said Deborah Adams, a Walled Lake resident who came in to spend time with her daughter.

Most customers were just passing by, but said they thought the sidewalk sales were a great idea.

"I didn't even know it was going on," said Joel Vargo, a customer perusing the racks at Moosejaw Mountaineering, 555 E. Grand River Ave.

"I don't have a lot of money, so if it's on sale, I might buy (something)."

Other customers said they found some good deals on merchandise.

"The sales were really good. I just bought this sweatshirt for my goddaughter that was supposed to be $35, but it was only $10," said education senior Jessica Adams.

Mitchell Shepherd, assistant manager of Moosejaw, said the store was busier Thursday than it has been on most days throughout the summer, but he thought it would be busier.

"As far as sales, I assumed today would be the best day," he said. "Because on the first day, we have the most supply of (merchandise)."

Staff writer Justin Kroll contributed to this article.