Black Friday — the nation’s premier holiday shopping day on the Friday after Thanksgiving — isn’t just for chain, big box stores and malls. For the first time, Montclair Center’s Business Improvement District is joining in and calling on consumers to “Ditch the Malls, Deck the Halls” and enjoy “delirious deals for one and all” at its own local Black Friday, November 26 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The BID has organized more than 80 shops and 10 restaurants into a local Black Friday, to encourage residents to keep the shopping in Montclair, and attract would-be mall rats from neighboring towns as well.
“If ever there was a Friday to ditch the malls, it’s this one,” said Tom Lonergan, Executive Director of BID. “We encourage Baristaville readers to support their local businesses, avoid the hassle and bother of big shopping venues and enjoy this one day of spectacular sales.”
Also, many of the retail shops in Baristaville — including Montclair and Maplewood Village — are participating in Small Business Saturday on November 27, so don’t stop, shop till you drop and put our local stores on top.
9am Black Friday? Half the fun is going shopping in the middle of the night
The reason this is dumb is summed up on what online retailers did a few years ago- they DID NOT try to compete with Black Friday, they worked to create Cyber Monday.
The idea that a shopper, one inclined to go to a Mall on Black Friday, is going to give it up is crazy.
I always make a point to shop local (just bought the little prof some new sneaks a Fleet Feet), especially around the holidays, birthday’s, etc. and I also LOVE the Mall, why they chose to pick a fight or make it seem like I have to choose is dumb.
I wish them well, but like the lady training for her 4am Target run, IF I go out, it’ll be to the Mall.
Dashing through the halls
on Black Friday this year
To buy those special gifts
For those we hold so dear.
Cash registers will ring
Making checkbooks light
And pay for parking all day long
And even through the night.
Ummm…. 15% of a scarf is NOT going to pull me from Macy’s.
And you could give away that Red Mango stuff– I’d still avoid it!!
I will though, as I always do, be spending much cash locally.
good luck to all the local mom and pop shops!