Black Friday Begins at Midnight: Let The Shopping Begin
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Locally, big box retailers, outlets and department stores are hoping to lure buyers with great deals and early hours. The smaller stores hope to snag shoppers later in the day, after they've hit the big stores but just haven't found that perfect gift.
Check out the iBerkshires Holiday Gift Guide for local shopping suggestions - you may not have to drive far or get up early to find the right gift. The guide runs through the holiday season and more merchandise will be added.
At Staples in North Adams, store manager Scott Orr said he's ready for the 6 a.m. opening. There have been lines waiting at the door the past two years and Orr was confident people will be stamping their feet outside again this year.
He couldn't give away the sales on Wednesday, but said the store would have some nice items for shoppers."Whatever is listed in the sales flier, we'll have at least the minimum quantity," he said.
Peebles Department Store next door to Staples is also prepped for shoppers, said assistant store manager Robert St. Pierre. Doors open at 7 with early bird specials until 1 p.m.
The store's flier also offers coupons for up to 15 percent off on any single item (they can be printed from here).
St. Pierre said the popular collectible holiday bears are back. "They really did well last year," he said, showing off the four-bear family. Spend $50 and buy a bear for $6 each; a $50 purchase will also get you a $10 gift card that can be spent Saturday through Monday.
Farther afield, Prime Outlets in Lee kicks off the holiday shopping blitz at midnight on Thursday. The first 500 who show up in PJs for the "Midnight Madness Pajama Jam" will get a goodie bag with a Jockey nightshirt designed for the event.
Ten of those goodie bags will also include a $250 gift certificate. Can't get to Lee by midnight? Sleepyheads can download offers until 8 a.m.; a second set of coupon will be available from 8 a.m. through closing Monday, Dec. 1.
Is your idea of designer brands Mattel and Nintendo? Then head to KB Toyworks in the Allendale Shopping Center in Pittsfield for another midnight madness opening. (There's a KB store at Prime Outlets as well.)
At the Berkshire Mall in Lanesborough, Best Buy opens at 5 a.m. with a host of bargains; most of the other anchor stores, such as Target, also will be opening between 5 and 7. However, Best Buy will dispersing tickets for "doorbuster" merchandise beginning at 3 a.m. if you've got your eye on hot item.
Wal-Mart locations open at 5 a.m. as well, with early bird specials at various times throughout the morning.
If you can't handle the lines, the early hours or the carting about of packages, most stores now offer online shopping. You don't have to wait until so-called "Cyber Monday" - many specials are being offered online by Friday or Saturday.
