From Staff Reports
AMERICUS — From Staff Reports
americustimesrecorder.com
AMERICUS — The day after Thanksgiving is known as the busiest shopping day of the year as most people flock to stores and malls to take advantage of special pricing on merchandise.
Local merchants have been preparing for “Black Friday” and since they had already decorated their stores for Christmas for the recent Downtown Holiday Open House, the day should be even more festive for shoppers.
The Times-Recorder talked with several local merchants to find out about their hours, and to get a feel for what to expect for this holiday shopping season.
Jane Lovette, owner of Monograms and More, at 128-B Jackson St., downtown, says her store will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and everything will be 15 percent off that day.
Her cute shop offers purses and lots of other accessories, lots of gift items, and “pretty much everything is monogrammable,” she said.
Lovette says the hottest items this year are the monogrammed mugs and tote bags.
As far as expectations go, Lovette says she is very fortunate. “We’re having a really good year. We’re very thankful for all our customers. We’re doing better than expected for how the economy is now,” she said. “We’re reasonably priced,” she added.
Scott’s Jewelry, at 210 W. Lamar St., downtown, will have regular business hours on Friday, from 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Owner Ron Scott says he will have some specials going on for Christmas shoppers, such as a half-price jewelry case featuring rings, bracelets, pendants, birth stone jewelry and diamond jewelry.
So what’s hot this year in jewelry? “Diamond pendants and necklaces have been real popular the last few years, and white gold,” Scott said.
And as for expectations of this holiday shopping season, Scott, like many, is optimistic.
“Well, we don’t know, but we hope things are going to be good. Time will tell. Because unemployment is up, we might be a little off. I think we’re going to have an OK Christmas, and we might be surprised,” he said.
“We sell big-ticket items and we’ve had problems the past several months, but we’re still buying a lot of gold and trading and making things for people. The last few days have been very good. We experienced a slow period in October and November, but things are picking up, and we have good expectations,” he said.
Pam Rabun, manager of Railway Freight at 209 N. Lee St. says her store will be open from 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Friday.
“Historically, it’s a big day,” Rabun said. “Last year it seemed like more people stayed in Americus to shop because of the economy and we hope that happens again this year.” Specials offered this holiday season include night stands for $10, five-piece dinette sets for $99 and captain’s bed for $299.
One of the hot items this year for only $98 is a sports emblem children’s recliner (also with Dora the Explorer and Sponge Bob!).
Mary Baldwin Gifts and Accessories, at 209 W. Lamar St., downtown, will be open from 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday. Owner Mary Baldwin says that “business in the last week has been up considerably compare to last year.”
China is always one of the best selling items around the holidays. New this year there will be some “especially wonderful items” in the $25 and under range.
Shiver Lumber Co., at 720 W. Church St., will be open from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday. Owner Johnny Shiver says the “hottest selling items this year are Carhartt apparel and Georgia Boots, both marked at 10 percent off.”
George’s Menswear, located at 126 N. Jackson St., is having normal business hours from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. Store owner George Saratsiotis said that he will be offering some specials. “ We have $200 off of some suits, $19 shirt specials, sport shirt discounts and IZOD shirts for $32.50,” said Saratsiotis. George’s Menswear can be reached at 924-3424.
The Kinnebrew Company will be open its normal business hours on the Friday after Thanksgiving. The store will be open from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Manager Jodi Wade said that his expectations for the day after thanksgiving, and the entire holiday season where for a busy time. “The day after Thanksgiving Is usually a pretty big day,” said Wade. “It kicks off the Christmas shopping season and keeps things busy.” In order to keep up with the crowds the store will be offering deals on boots and shoes, as well as sales on Men’s and women’s Northface™ Jackets. Kinnebrew is also offering a free gift wrap service to its customers. Wade expects the big ticket items this year to be the Northface and Patagonia Jackets as well as EMU and FRYE boots. The Kinnebrew Company is located on 208 W. Lamar St. and can be reached at 924-8888.
Decorating Unlimited will be doing things a little differently this holiday season. Nell Purvis, manager of the home decor store in Americus, has closed the store today, and will reopen Monday, to give her employees and herself time with their families.
The store will hold its big sale most likely during the latter part of next week, Purvis said, when holiday decorations will run from 25 to 50 percent off. There will even be a back room where everything stocked will be 50 percent off. Discounted items will include furniture, lamps, home accessories, rugs and other home decor items.
Because of the economy, Purvis isn’t too sure what to expect for her sales this season. But, “all our customers are really special to us and we just want to do everything (we) can to help them through the holidays,” she said.
Gary Roberts, owner of Roberts Jewelry in downtown Americus, expects an average year in sales for his business.
“Although people are in better spirits around this time, people will be cautious (because of the economy,)” he said.
Even though Friday is the busiest shopping day of the year, Roberts said that his busiest day has historically been Christmas Eve.
“People tend to wait to the last minute to make (jewelry) purchases,” he said.
Roberts and his father, who opened the store in 1949, have 60 holiday seasons under their belt from which to form their estimates.
The store has several special deals during the holiday season, which include one-carat (total) diamond earrings for $799, a three-stone, one-carat ring for $799, which is more widely known as the past-present-future ring, and a total of a half-carat solitaire earrings for $299.
The store is open from 9 a.m. -6 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m.- p.m. Saturdays.
Merle Norman has doubled its services since last year, so Manager Janice Goodin isn’t quite sure what to expect for this upcoming holiday season, but is sure their new services will be a perfect holiday gift.
At the beginning of 2009, the cosmetic store added a salon and a day spa and updated their studio design.
The store will be offering a few specials that Goodin says she hopes will bring in business. The store will offer a package for $99 that will include a manicure, pedicure, facial and massage for $99. Also, the store’s offering a free gift bag with the purchase of two or more cosmetics this holiday season while supplies last. They also have begun a program where they sponsor parties for 3-year-olds and up to be pampered with aromatherapy bath soaps and other products from Merle Norman.
The store is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday beginning Dec. 11 and running through Jan. 3.
“Supporting local business is important,” Goodin said. “We have excellent service, a friendly, welcoming, inviting atmosphere, and you don’t have to drive very far!”
