Shop in your pjs at downtown St. Petersburg’s largest pajama party

Since 1973, more than 40 shops in downtown St. Petersburg (and neighboring business districts) have, once a year, opened their doors to shoppers at 6:43 a.m., an oddly specific time. Participating shops — you'll be able to tell who they are by who's open at 6:43 a.m. — have "doorbuster" sales or other special deals, and you'll be able to tell who's shopping because, one, they're out shopping for stuff at 6:43 a.m. and two, they may well have their pajamas on. Why? Because shoppers in pjs may get deals or gifts other shoppers do not.

Did we mention there's cake? Yup, under a tent on the Museum of Fine Arts lawn, plus we've heard some restaurants will offer breakfast specials. 

Why the hoopla? While we don't think you ever need a reason to eat cake at 6:43 a.m., we have one for ya: The St. Petersburg Downtown Business Association will collect donations throughout the day, and those donations go to Heart Gallery Pinellas-Pasco. They're a group that helps find forever homes for foster kids. You certainly don't have to donate during the day, but if you do, the Cathedral of St. Peter will match every penny. 

And why 6:43 a.m.? Because, says Susan Robertson, part of the DBA, "That was sunrise 45 years ago when the Sunrise Sale was first created."

Ah, history. 

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Sunrise Sale | Downtown St. Petersburg (maps provided on Facebook as the date gets closer) | July 19: 6:43 a.m. | Learn more

This article appears in Jun 28 – Jul 5, 2018.