On a sun-washed weekend in June, what began as a humble sidewalk sale turned into a community ritual—and a record-breaking one at that. Mickey's Sidewalk Sale, hosted by the ever-charismatic Mickey Boardman, raised an astonishing $126,000 for CITTA, marking Mickey's most successful fundraising weekend ever. Over the years, this glitter-dusted event has brought in more than $900,000 to support CITTA’s mission of building schools, health clinics, and women’s centers in underserved communities around the globe.
“I’ve always been a shopaholic,” says Mickey Boardman, the beloved editor and philanthropist behind the event. “At one point, I had about 15 garbage bags of clothes I needed to part with. I called my friend Laura Wills, who owned the legendary vintage store Screaming Mimi’s, and offered her the clothes. She said, ‘Why don’t we do a big sale and donate the money to charity?’ That is how it all started.”
That was more than two decades ago. “It’s gotten bigger and maybe a little slicker,” Mickey says, “but the spirit is still the same. It’s always been about a bunch of friends who love fashion and beauty coming together to raise money for a cause we care about.”
Today, the sale is a signature event at The Standard, East Village, where racks of designer castoffs and vintage treasures line up beside unexpected gems—You’ll find Coach bags, DVF dresses, Ganni pieces, Marc Jacobs treasures, makeup from e.l.f. and Kiko Milano, even thoughtful home goods from ABC Carpet & Home—all mixed in with Mickey’s own personal archive. There’s also a joyful sense of contrast: luxury meets low-key, classic meets playful, and everything is priced to move.
“Shopping is fun—but shopping to help build schools and hospitals is both fun and meaningful,” Mickey explains. “It’s also become a way for our community to reconnect, come together, and enjoy themselves.”
What began on the sidewalk outside Screaming Mimi’s has evolved into something far more enduring. “While we always invite our friends, it’s really the foot traffic from neighbors and hotel guests who turn out to be our best customers,” Mickey says. “The community has embraced us, and we absolutely love it.”
Beyond the joy of the hunt, what keeps people coming back year after year is the deep sense of purpose. “CITTA is an incredible organization. It’s a perfect match because every dollar we raise goes a long way—they really know how to stretch it,” Mickey says. “Visiting their projects in India has deepened our appreciation for the work they do and the impact our sale can have.”
And as for what’s next? Mickey is dreaming bigger. “This December, we’re doing our first-ever charity sale in India, which will be amazing—and a whole new kind of challenge. I can’t wait.”
With over $900K already raised and a million within reach, Mr. Mickey’s Sidewalk Sale is more than just a New York summer fixture—it’s a testament to what happens when style meets service.
A Few Words with Mr. Mickey
What atmosphere are you aiming to create in The Standard
space?
A friendly, welcoming neighborhood vibe that makes people want to shop.
What does the 25th-sale milestone mean to you personally?
It’s been over 20 years—but not quite 25 years—since we started. A few
years, we hosted two sales, so this is our 25th sale. It’s incredible to have
come this far. I’m so proud of all of us. We’ve raised $900,000 so far, and the
next goal is hitting $1 million!
What makes this sale “more than just shopping” in your
eyes?
Shopping is fun—but shopping to help build schools and hospitals is both fun
and meaningful.
