While the eyes of the public largely focus on the artists' booths at the Ann Arbor Art Fairs, another key component of the week lies in the sidewalk sales set up in front of local stores.

Denise Rex of Toldeo shops the sidewalk sale at Orchid Lane along East Liberty Street during this year's Ann Arbor Art Fairs. The non-art aspect of the event is a major draw for some fairgoers.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

With bargains and low prices on every corner, this year’s event has seen a shift in buying behaviors, some merchants said.

Colin Rolley, of Moe’s Sport Shops on North University, said, “There was definitely an early-bird rush this year. People have been filing in steadily since 8:30 this morning (Wednesday).” The store features multiple sale items from T-shirts to mugs to memorabilia with prices as low as $5. “Shoppers have definitely been taking advantage of the sales.”

Urban Outfitters noted similar trends in its sale tent. “There were a lot more early goers,” Drew Fifield, one employee, said. “We’ve already noticed more people in general than usual, visiting our tent and store as early as 6 a.m.”

Said early-bird shopper Andrew Martin, a University of Michigan student: "I come to the Art Fair for the sales. As a college student, this is the one time I can actually afford some of the things I've been eyeballing the whole year."

Kelly McLeod, who co-owns one of State Street’s vintage stores, The Getup, with her husband, had an "amazing" first day, clearing out half their sale inventory on Wednesday. The Getup boasts 20% off all store items, with a tent filled with clothing for $5, half-off jewelry, and $1 records.

“What we’ve seen today has been a lot of early shoppers who already have what they’d like in mind and who show up before the real crowds begin to get it. At the same time, too, we’ve also noticed that people are being a little more picky with their purchases — before, they’d buy two or three rings, now, they choose which one they like best and buy that,” said Brian Gold of Jewel Craft Crushed Opal Jewelry on State Street.

Recent graduate Alyce Robelli said, "I always look forward to the Art Fair sales — who can resist a $5 pair of jeans?

"There are always things to look at, regardless of whether or not people make purchases. They say that half the fun is in the looking!"

Courtney Rabideau is an intern for AnnArbor.com