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Highlands Today

Local Merchants Gear Up For Black Friday

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By Gary Pinnell | Highlands Today

Published: November 22, 2007

AVON PARK — Lakeshore Mall won't open its doors until 6 a.m. Friday. But by then, all the department stores will have been open at least an hour.

The mall will be a madhouse.

"We just try not to get trampled," said Jenny Cheek, the mall's general manager. "It's not for the faint of heart. The die-hard shoppers come in for the door-busters. For some women, it's like an all-day experience. Some will go home, then come back later in the day."

Every store will have a sale, Cheek said. "It's the biggest shopping day of the year."

Wal-Mart is open all night, so some shoppers will arrive as early as 3 a.m. and begin lining up behind the special they want.

This year, there's a 32-inch LCD TV for $448, and a 42-inch for $798. An 80-gigabyte iPod Classic, which holds 20,000 songs, will go for $248.

"We'll have thousands of customers between 5 a.m. to 11 a.m.," said Matt Church, co-manager. "There will be hundreds waiting here at 5 a.m."

Although Wal-Mart tries to stock enough sale items to last for hours, some may be sold out within the first 30 minutes, Church said.

At Beall's department store, Kathleen Trussell said the flyer details dozens of specials, including jewelry.

Tina Bloeser, the store manager at Belk department store, will hand out gift cards to the first 250 customers.

"They're worth from $5 to $5,000," said Bloeser. The $5,000 card may not be given at the Sebring store, she said. Additionally, customers between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. can get coupons for $5, $10, or $25 off a $75 purchase, excluding some items.

There will also be early bird specials thoughout the store, like a MyGuide hand-held GPS navigation system. It's normally $300, and but it will go for $179, after in-store discounts and rebates. A DXG digital camcorder, worth $130, will go for $80 after rebates.

The store opens at 4:45 a.m. Bloeser will be there at 3 a.m.

"We'll have all hands on deck," Bloeser said. "There will be hundreds of customers waiting. It's unbelievable."

Two stores, Petco and Bed Bath & Beyond, don't have doorbuster sales. But Deana Anderson, Petco's manger, said customers get a discount with a $20 donation. All the money goes to the local Humane Society.

The mall manager's advice: "Be safe," said Cheek, even though a large security staff will be present.
"Sometimes, in the hustle and bustle, ladies don't watch their purses, or they don't watch their children," Cheek said. And there will be bad people out there to prey on unwary shoppers, she reminded.

Open For Business
These stores are having early Black Friday sales:
JC Penney - 4 a.m.
Belk - 4:45 a.m.
Beall's - 5 a.m.
Sears - 5 a.m.
Kmart - 6 a.m.
Lakeshore Mall - 6 a.m.

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