Friday, November 23, 2012
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 …
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Do you spend the bulk of your holiday gift budget while visiting small businesses, chain stores, or websites?
Thanksgiving isn't just a day of giving thanks, it's also the last day before the holiday shopping season starts with a bang on with early openings and one-day-only deals on Black Friday. In addition, this year is the second Small Business Saturday, a day, according to the organizers, "dedicated to supporting small businesses on one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year," and this year's Cyber Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving, is expected to draw an additional ten million shoppers to their screens over last years' total. Patch wants to know where the chips fall for you. Are you saving your money for internet sales, or did you complete the bulk of your shopping on November 25th? Is Small Business Saturday the day you'll be …
Friday, November 25, 2011
Do you brave the crowds or enjoy the comforts of home?
Black Friday is notoriously the busiest shopping day of the year in the country, and Massachusetts, even with its famous Blue Laws, is no exception. All things considered, Patch wants to know where you find yourself this November 25th. Will you be in line, coffee cup in hand, at 11:59 p.m. Thanksgiving night outside Target or the Wrentham Outlets, or are you content to wake up and hit the stores at the not-quite-leisurely hour of 4:30 a.m.? And what about people who are staying home? Do you avoid Black Friday shopping just because of the crowds, or do you have a more philosophical stance against going out that day, like the proponents of Buy Nothing Day? This is your chance to stand up and be counted, whether as a discount dilettante or…
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Get the most for your money while shopping smartly this holiday.
- HOLIDAY GUIDE
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Thursday, November 24, 2011
It’s time to start planning your Black Friday, that special day after Thanksgiving when retailers gear up to offer their best. Better Business Bureau past experience tells us that all deals are not created equal and the fine print is often the most important thing. Before you head out the door for a block buster and get caught up in the frenzy, the BBB offers the following tip sheet to help you save time and money. Tip 1 – Know before You Go. Many retailers will release their Black Friday deals online, in social media and other publications. Research where the sales are and make a list of your gift priorities to compare prices and plan your day of deals. Since many advertisements will begin before the actual sale, build up a coupon …
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Beacon Hillers enjoy a quiet Black Friday.
While most shopping mall and department store managers spent weeks preparing and bracing themselves for the Black Friday frenzy, Beacon Hill shop owners along Charles St. said today was just like any other Friday. "We opened the shop 15 minutes early so I guess that's special," said Mary Sweeny who works at Upstairs Downstairs Antiques. "And we'll probably stay open 15 minutes late." The street, lined with coffee shops, art stores, clothing boutiques, and other independently owned shops was quiet all morning except for a few dog walkers who braved the cool, damp weather. Most stores did not open until 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. and many storeowners said they expected it to get busy around 3 p.m. rather than 3 a.m. Suzy O'Brien, who owns …
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Upstairs Downstairs Antiques
93 Charles St, Boston, MA
/articles/shop-owners-say-black-friday-is-just-another-day-on-the-hill
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The Red Wagon
69 Charles St, Boston, MA
/articles/shop-owners-say-black-friday-is-just-another-day-on-the-hill
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42.357052
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J.McLaughlin
34 Charles St, Boston, MA
/articles/shop-owners-say-black-friday-is-just-another-day-on-the-hill
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Beacon Hill enjoyed a quite, more laid-back Black Friday on Charles St.
As shopping malls in the greater Boston area hummed with crowds and deals , Charles St. offered a quieter, less-frenzied atmosphere for holiday shoppers.
42.35615
-71.06942
Charles St & Beacon St, Boston, MA
/articles/photo-gallery-black-friday-on-beacon-hill
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Daren Lechner
6:45 pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Oh yeah... Pura Vida! And Happy Thanksgiving. more ›