Some locations have a late start on Black Friday

LIMA – This cold and windy Black Friday, some Lima locations appeared to be more relaxed as shoppers arrived later due to later store hours, such as at Lima Mall, where many stores opened at 9 a.m. Regardless of how, stores experienced a moderate influx of customers as soon as the doors opened.

Ginny Stump and Tiffany Emmons, both of Lima, had been shopping since 5:30 a.m., visiting some of the stores that opened earliest – such as JC Penney, Walmart and Meijer – before checking out stores at the Lima Center mall nearby from Kohl’s.

They said they missed the days when Black Friday shopping was primarily in-person and featured physical displays instead of online. Now they said shoppers are encouraged to shop online only or place an order online to pick up in store.

“I miss the time of going out, getting good deals and waiting in line,” Stump said. “I like to shop in person so I can see it, feel it, try it on and test the quality.”

“But it’s hard to get stuff,” Emmons added. “Like last year, I specifically tried to get my kids’ stuff in the store because that’s what I felt like doing after COVID and everything they wanted I couldn’t find because I couldn’t find their size.”

Memories of the way Black Friday used to be for Stump also included memories of the mall.

“(I remember) when the mall had the music, the lights and the decorations. “That’s not the case anymore,” Stump said.

Stump said she has spent about $200 so far, and Emmons said she has spent about $100. They said they found good deals at JC Penney and Walmart. At JC Penney, Emmons got free shipping next week and Stump got $10 off.

“I look for deals on groceries, but they don’t have any,” Emmons joked.

Stump assumed that fewer people were out than on previous Black Fridays.

“It’s kind of depressing,” Emmons agreed.

While Friday morning’s rush may not have been overwhelming, an AP article cited data from the National Retail Federation and Proper Insights that found 65% of Black Friday shoppers still planned to shop in person.

Reasons cited for the reduced crowds included falling prices over the years on big-ticket items such as televisions; Stores launch deals well before the weekend after Thanksgiving; and increased spending for Cyber ​​Monday. During Cyber ​​Monday in 2023, the article cited data from Adobe Analytics that said U.S. consumers spent a record $12.4 billion, including $9.8 billion online on Black Friday.

Local businesses and franchises have also been making deals in advance of Small Business Saturday. Once Upon A Child, 927 N. Cable Road, opened at 10 a.m. and had 30 percent off all clothing and shoes from 10 a.m. to noon; from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. there was a 20% discount; and from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. there was a 10% discount.

Opening manager Savanna Carney said people are most looking for clothes when they come in, and the store can be very busy on Black Friday because the store doesn’t do online sales.

“We have a lot of branded items here and things that you can’t get anywhere else for the price we sell them for,” Carney said. “Every year it’s pretty full. Once people come in, they usually stay in for a few hours before anyone leaves the store.

“It’s always pretty hectic,” Carney continued. “But everyone is always polite, everyone is nice, everyone is just trying to do the same thing, make the sale and be happy with the purchase they made. So it was never crazy or anything like that, so we’re lucky in that regard.”

The Meeting Place on Market cafe at 220 W. Market St. offered a “buy one, get one free” drink deal Friday along with several other promotions.

Sally Terry from Delphos and her daughter took advantage of the deal and got Terry’s favorite drink, the white chocolate caramel mocha. She said she is a regular customer and the visit is a joy for her as she comes by about every two months.

“I like family businesses,” Terry said. “I just like local businesses because I think they’re a strength for the local economy, and that’s important.”

Reach Charlotte Caldwell at 567-242-0451.