Black Friday approaching

Local News

Discussion

Welcome to our online comments feature. To join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address. Once you do, your comments will post automatically. We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean. We reserve the right to remove comments that are obscene, racist or abusive and statements that are false or unverifiable. Repeat offenders will be blocked. You may flag objectionable comments for review by a moderator.

comments powered by Disqus

November 24, 2009

Charles Oliver

Local retailers say they are still surprised each year at the number of people who get up early on the Friday after Thanksgiving to shop. But that number only seems to grow each year.

“Last year, it was a huge day for us, especially in the morning. I didn’t believe so many people would come out,” said Dottie Ray, manager of the JC Penney store in Walnut Square Mall.

The store opened at 4 a.m. last year, and Ray said people were already lined up.

The store will open again at 4 a.m. this Friday. And it will have plenty of “door buster” price breaks on items throughout the store until 1 p.m.

“We are expecting a big crowd. It’s one of the biggest days of the holiday season, if not the biggest. And every retailer is out there vying for that customer,” Ray said.

The Friday after Thanksgiving has been dubbed “Black Friday” by some retailers because the day’s sales push them from red ink into black ink (profits.)

“It’s a very big day. You really see retailers trying to entice shoppers into the store with value prices on that day,” said Walnut Square Mall manager Brandy Christian. “Many of the stores (in the mall) have already begun decorating for Christmas, and we are starting to see shoppers getting ready for Christmas. One trend we’ve seen this year is that people have been smarter with their money and budgeted for the holidays.”

Walnut Square Mall will be open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday. Children can have their photographs taken with Santa Claus, and those who make a donation of at least $2 or bring in a canned food item will get $2 off the price of the photograph.

Those who really want to get an early start on Christmas shopping will want to check out the Dalton Outlet Shops at 1001 Market St. Rue21 will open Thanksgiving night at 10, and 10 other stores will open at midnight, according to an official with the shops.

The Kmarts on Walnut Avenue and Cleveland Highway will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. For a list of items that will be on sale go to www.kmart.com.

Many downtown Dalton merchants will be holding specials and sales. Among them:

• The Cherry Tree, 236 N. Hamilton St., will feature new vinyl market totes for $20, three-piece gingham cosmetic bags for $10, and 20 percent off all fashion jewelry.

• The Frame Shop, 237 N. Hamilton St., will feature 30 percent off custom framing and 20 percent off regularly priced photo frames and gifts as well as a chance to register to win a $50 gift certificate.

• Raspberry Row, 205 W. Cuyler St., will have a secret sale on specially marked items.

• Toys in the Attic, 226 N. Hamilton St., will have a number of specials.

• The Yellow Bird, 235 N. Hamilton St., will have selected items priced at 20 percent off.