Merchants prep for Black Friday

Staff writer

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Stores in the Portales and Clovis area will be stocking the shelves and opening early for Black Friday sales.

Creighton’s Town & Country’s Black Friday sales will include 20 percent off belts, clothing and jewelry.

“It’s been good to us in the past, and last year was great,” said Ofelia Jasso, a manager at Creighton’s. “I’ve noticed that this year people aren’t waiting for Black Friday. We’ve had people coming in early and buying presents and getting them wrapped.

“I think they’re scared that if they want until Black Friday or after the stuff they want won’t be there anymore.”

link Staff photo: Tony Bullocks

From left, Joanie Vance, 10, Jenny Grice, and Jodi Vance, 10, all from Tucumcari, came to the North Plains Mall for a girls day out to do some Thanksgiving shopping at the Hickory Farm kiosk. Jennie Robar, right, of Melrose, provides some assistance.

Bar G Western Wear in Portales will have a storewide, buy one get one half of sale this weekend.

“This is the fourth year we’ve done a black Friday sale and every year it gets bigger and bigger,” said Fern Goodson, who owns the store with her husband. “So this year we’re really excited about the sale we’re having.”

On Friday, Robert’s TV is also having a sale, discounting furniture, bedding and kitchen ranges; Valley Furniture is selling recliners and sofas and entire living room sets at discount prices; and Ashley Furniture stores in Clovis and Portales will feature 60 percent off furniture items 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., 50 percent off from 9 a.m. to noon and 40 percent off noon to 6 p.m.

Walmart will feature special sales at 6 p.m. today and 8 p.m. on electronics, housewares and other sections. If supplies run out, one hour guarantees will be handed out to customers so they can still get the discounts when supplies are replenished.

Black Friday will feature more discounts and sales starting at 6 a.m.

At the North Plains Mall in Clovis, Bealls, JCPenney, Rue 21, Sears and other select stores will be open on Thursday starting at 5 p.m. The mall will be open in its entirety at 6 a.m. Friday.

Burns Do It Hardware Store had giveaways and big sales in the past, to generate customers, but haven’t done as much in recent years, according to owner James Burns.

Burns had a $1,000 give away in 2012, and opened up early for Black Friday, but were disappointed in the results.

“In the past we really tried to do things on Black Friday to attract customers,” Burns said. “But what I’ve learned is that women will drive eight hours to Lubbock and the husbands will stay home. Black Friday is a female holiday and we’re not really a female store.

“We have items for women in our stores, but we’re not really that kind of place.”

This year, Burns will only feature small sales this year on grills and other small items and will run through its normal hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Another option to holiday shop this weekend is Small Business Saturday, wth 41 Portales and 100 Clovis business participating.