Black Friday falls on Nov. 28 this year, but some stores are taking the sales to a new level by opening on Thanksgiving Day and even earlier. Cookeville has several department and clothing stores planning to offer large discounts and flash sales to shoppers.
Most franchise stores such as Sears, JC Penney, Old Navy and more will be opening up on Thanksgiving Day. Old Navy plans to open at 4 p.m. while JC Penney and Sears will be opening at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively.
Old Navy is planning to hold a special Black Friday pre-sale to card holders Saturday, Nov. 22, nearly a week before Black Friday.
“The Black Friday sale will be that the entire store is 50 percent off. Old Navy Card holders, and anyone who opens an Old Navy Card, get that same sale this upcoming Saturday in advance,” said Will Hearn, an Old Navy Employee.
Kohl’s is a popular attraction for Cookeville Black Friday shoppers. Lines often wrap to the road and once inside, can wrap half way around the store.
“Last year I waited outside to get into Kohl’s an hour before they opened their doors. Once I was inside I noticed some cook-wear on sale that my mom really liked,” said Emily Young, Black Friday shopper and Cookeville resident. “Right before I got to the stand, a woman started loading all of the cook-wear into her buggy. She was blocking off the entire stand so no one could get to it. I managed to squeeze my way over and get one of the sets, and she acted offended that I took one of the probably 20 sets that were on display. It can get crazy!”
Despite the hustle and bustle of the larger retailers, local stores will be keeping their Black Friday sales casual and at regular hours.
Luxe Boutique is keeping their normal hours on Black Friday, opening up at 10 a.m. and closing at 6 p.m.
“We are doing a flash sale on Black Friday which is exactly what we did last year and it turned out great,” said Jordan Poston, Luxe Boutique employee.
Instead of opening early in the morning, Caravan, a new local men, women and home decor boutique, will be offering extended hours to shoppers on Black Friday.
Whether you’re shopping at department stores or local, you can bet that most of Cookeville’s retailers will be offering deals throughout all hours of Black Friday and even on Thanksgiving Day.