Its that time of year again: Black Friday is descending upon Cortez. And many of its retailers will be celebrating the day with gusto.
Black Friday has turned into an annual kick-off to the holiday shopping season. But businesses arent just hoping the day will begin to pull their books from red into the black. Theyre also looking upon the weekend to celebrate the Thanksgiving spirit with customers while hoping to get a glimpse of what the Christmas shopping season will be like.
Abundant Life is serving up family fun and a celebratory atmosphere with a heaping side of sales for its Black Friday promotions Friday, Nov. 25.
Its like a big, family celebration, says Abundant Life Owner Dyanna Hoffman. We play music, we have fun.
Hoffman says shes thankful to be celebrating the stores 30th anniversary alongside Black Friday. And besides offering free healthy, party foods and door prizes, the nutritional resource store will also be offering sales on everything in stock.
Its a way for Abundant Life to thank its loyal customers: We appreciate the support of the community of the Four Corners area from the bottom of our hearts, Hoffman says.
Stage is also celebrating Black Friday with fun and a thankful spirit along with its sales. Stage has joined hands with Salvation Armys Toys for Tots drive this year.
Were very excited about that, says Stages new Site Manager Jennifer Heath. We have a special bear thats here for Toys for Tots.
Besides donating proceeds from the bears sales, Stage will also be accepting one- and five-dollar donations for the Salvation Armys toy drive.
And, in the spirit of Christmas, Heath is dressing as an elf and encourages her staff to dress as elves on Friday, Nov. 25.
We want Black Friday to be fun for the people and myself, and the three others who will open, Heath says. Were expecting good traffic.
Big R Farm, Home and Ranch Family Store will be offering specials in the spirit of workers who may not have time to shop in the wee morning hours of Black Friday. Big Rs sales will stretch from 6 to 11 a.m. and then 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25. Big R is splitting its Black Friday sales day into two sessions in order to allow those people who have been hard at work that morning the same kind of opportunities its early-bird shoppers will have, Big R Manager Tim Weyers says.
But the earlier shoppers can expect a crowd, he says.
More than likely its going to be busy, very busy, Weyers says. He has scheduled his entire staff to be on the sales floor throughout the day in order to accommodate the traffic.
Radio Shacks specials will also start early. Its opening its doors and offering specials from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25. Its Black Friday numbers will mirror the rest of its holiday season, Radio Shacks Assistant Manager Huey Craft says.
It helps jump start our holiday season, he says. And it helps us judge what will be on peoples minds for the holidays.
Walmart is always one of the main Black Friday destinations across the country and Cortez is no different. The big box retailer has a list of specials online with maps of stores and where to wait in line in order for people to hone in on the items they need under their Christmas trees. Black Friday sales begin at 10 p.m. today and electronic sales kickoff at midnight. Other items will be on sale at 8 a.m. Friday.
Our customers told us they would rather stay up late to shop than get up early, says Walmarts chief merchandising officer Duncan Naughton.
Reach Nathalie Winch at nathaliew@cortezjournal.com.
