Friday, November 23, 2012
Deals from local merchants for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
The biggest day of the year for holiday shopping is almost upon us, and although "Black Friday" may make you think of the large big box stores out there, many local South End businesses are offering sales and deals as well, either on Friday or Saturday or all weekend. Jennifer Effron, director of Washington Gateway Main Street, said Black Friday and Small Business Saturday are great opportunities to support the South End economy while buying unique gifts for your loved ones this holiday season. "The money you spend at small businesses gets infused right back into the neighborhoods in which they exist," she said. "This season support the small businesses in the South End that help make our community vibrant, creative and special." Nicole …
A few facts, figures and tidbits before heading out with the other shoppers.
1. Weekend weather forecast: 2. History of Black Friday: The term “Black Friday” was coined in the 1960s to mark the kickoff to the Christmas shopping season. “Black” refers to stores moving from the “red” to the “black,” back when accounting records were kept by hand and red ink indicated a loss, black a profit. Ever since the start of the modern Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924, the Friday after Thanksgiving has been known as the unofficial start to a bustling holiday shopping season. 3. Black Friday myth: Despite common belief, Black Friday is not the biggest shopping day of the year. It's not even in the top five, according to a posting on todayifoundout.com. So which day gets the prize? Typically, the last Saturday before …
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Some big box stores are now moving up their midnight hours to 8 or 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving in other parts of the country. Thanks to Massachusetts Blue Laws, that can't happen here. But should it?
First, it was more of an unspoken rule. Get your shopping done early, get it done on your day off after Thanksgiving. Then, stores responded in offering special deals to attract customers to their stores. That's when it started getting a little bit crazy. Many of the big box stores such as Target, Walmart and Sears have pushed their midnight openings even earlier, onto Thanksgiving Day itself in some parts of the country. Critics say Thanksgiving Day openings prevent employees from spending the holiday with their families, and call into question the true meaning of the holidays. Massachusetts Blue Laws prevent stores from opening on Thanksgiving, but many will be opening at midnight or at 1 a.m. on Friday. What do you think? Have we …
Sara Jacobi
2:48 pm on Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thanks, Deb! more ›