After a spring cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the biannual event is set to begin virtually Sept 26-30.

“We were at a point where we had to make a decision,” said Jennifer Benninger, Times News advertising director. “The sale was about a month away and we wanted to figure out exactly what we were doing so people knew how to prepare for it.”

“For the first time, the sale will be done completely online. Many of the normal operations will remain the same. “We will still have, on the first day, an early-bird VIP sale,” Benninger said. “Those people who had signed up for VIP tickets, any new moms that signed up, and consignors, will be given a code to get into the website the first day.”

Consumers will make purchases online just like buying anything else off the web.

After the sale is over, consignors will get a report of their sold items, which will allow them to match up each shopper with their respective purchase.

Consignors will organize their sold items by each shopper and will drop them off at the Times News, 594 Blakeslee Blvd. Drive West, Lehighton, on Oct. 5 between 10 a.m.-8 p.m. On Oct. 6, the purchasers should come to the Times News to pick up their items between 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

“There are a lot of positives going online,” said Jennifer Rowden, Times News marketing director. “First of all, we just feel that it’s a much safer environment for everyone. We’re also excited that it does mean that there is the ability to earn higher commission for consignors.

“We have every intention to return to a face-to-face sale. It’s just that the safest option right now.”