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Black Friday deals boost for local retailers, economy
By Marthe Stinton, mstinton@acnpapers.com
Black Friday marks the semi-official beginning of the Christmas shopping season but is also the day when all shoppers feel what it’s like to be a linebacker. Last year, while playing Santa’s helper, I literally had a man knock me over in order to get a set of tools. Tools! But this year, instead of braving the lines myself, I will help you find the best deals in the county.
For those of you crazy enough to get up at 3 a.m. and fight the lines and other shoppers for some steep discounts, please feel free to enjoy Black Friday, but please don’t wake me.
According to a Gallup poll, Americans currently predict they will each spend $714 on Christmas gifts this year — well exceeding the $638 they forecast in November a year ago for the 2009 holiday season, but still trailing the pre-recessionary November forecasts recorded over most of the last decade. Local stores are preparing to help Collin County residents meet the expected goal with several promotions.
Shoppers can present their receipts at the Redemption Zone at Customer Service located on the upper level near Center Court. As an extra surprise, mall ambassadors will be wandering through the shopping center with giveaways such as shopping bags to lighten the load, stickers for the kids and more.
A complete store list is available on the website as is a list of current discounts and sales for the faint of heart. Stonebriar Centre is located at Preston Road and SH 121 in Frisco. For information visit www.shopstonebriar. com or call 972-668-6255.
Allen Premium Outlets is one-upping the competition by opening at midnight on Black Friday. Well, I guess that would actually be midnight on Thanksgiving, but you get the point. The after-Thanksgiving sale will last the entire weekend, with stores opening at 10 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday. For a complete list of stores and information visit www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets.
The Village at Fairview will be giving away goody bags with $15 gift cards and special offers from the stores and restaurants at 7 a.m. on Black Friday to the first 200 people who visit the Guest Service booth at The Village at Fairview. The $15 gift cards may be redeemed at any of the participating stores and restaurants at both The Village at Fairview and The Village at Allen.
Collin Creek Mall will open at 6 a.m. Black Friday, and shoppers who spend more than $100 will receive a $10 Shop Etc. gift card when they present their valid receipts at the Merrier Shopping Redemption Zone located in Center Court during the hours of 6 a.m. to noon. Collin Creek Mall has more than 110 stores to help those buy for the pickiest person on the naughty list and various entertainment venues. For information about Collin Creek Mall visit www.collincreekmall.com.
The Shops at Willow Bend will give away 13 $500 center gift cards to 13 lucky shoppers the day after Thanksgiving. Beginning at 9 a.m. and continuing until 9 p.m., winners will be chosen every hour on the hour at random from shoppers who have registered. To add excitement, a DJ will be on hand to keep the crowd energized throughout the day. For those weary shoppers who need a little inspiration, Willow Bend recently launched its new holiday set, The Ice Palace, featuring The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. The palace is a winter wonderland experience where children can visit with Santa in an environment unlike any other. For information visit shopwillowbend.com.
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