The concept of Black Friday is getting looser as time goes on, and the Williamsburg area is not missing out on joining other shops in launching Black Friday deals early.
Stores across the area are planning Thanksgiving night openings rather than opening in the wee morning hours on Black Friday. Some stores are even offering Black Friday deals several days early, while reserving the “early bird” and “door buster” deals for the official Black Friday.
Williamsburg Premium Outlets
Williamsburg Premium Outlets is starting the party early, with several stores offering deals as part of a multi-week Flash Sale running into December. In addition to the store sales, shoppers who sign up for the VIP Program have access to additional coupons.
Outlets will be opening as early as 8 p.m. Thursday, with others opening later Thursday.
At 7 p.m. Thursday, Journeys, Under Armour and Zumiez will open.
At 8 p.m. Thursday, the following stores will open: Adidas, Aeropostale, Aldo, Ann Taylor Factory Store, Brooks Brothers Factory Store, Brooks Brothers Women, Carter’s, Charlotte Russe, The Children’s Place Outlet, Columbia Sportswear, Converse, Crabtree & Evelyn, Dooney & Bourke, Ecco, Ecko Unltd, Elizabeth Arden, Frankie’s Deli, Gap Factory Store, Guess Factory Store, HanesBrands, Harry & David, Hartstrings, Hugo Boss Factory Store, Izod, J. Crew, Jockey, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade New York, Kirkland’s, Le Creuset, Le Gourmet Chef, Loft Outlet, Lucky Brand, Maidenform, Nautica, Nine West Outlet, Oakley Vault, Papaya, Reebok, Sbarro, Seiko Company Store, Skechers, Sno To Go, Sunglass Hut, Sunglass Hut II, Talbots, Tommy Hilfiger, Van Heusen, Zales Outlet
Stores opening at 9 p.m. Thursday are: Adidas, Ben & Jerry’s, Coach, Eddie Bauer Outlet, Guess Factory Store, Haggar Clothing Co., L’Occitane, Lacoste, Samsonite, Timberland, Vans
Opening at 10 p.m. Thursday are: Banana Republic Factory Store, Cole Haan, The Cosmetics Company Store, Fossil, G.H. Bass, Johnston & Murphy, Longaberger at Home, Movado Company Store, The North Face, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, White House Black Market, Williamsburg Cigarette Outlet
2b bebe will open at 11 p.m.
Stores opening at midnight Thursday are: BCBG Max Azria, Clarks Bostonian, Janie & Jack, Kay Jewelers Outlet, Lancome-Designer Fragrances & Cosmetic Co., Lane Bryant Outlet, Lladro, Naturalizer, Nike Factory Store, Pepperidge Farm, Tommy Bahama, Waterford Wedgwood Royal Doulton
All outlets are scheduled to be open until 10 p.m. Friday.
Opening information will be continually updated on the Outlets website. Additional holiday hours are also posted on the Outlets website.
Shoppers dreading parking at the Outlets have an alternative: riding a shuttle. On top of not having to scour the parking lot for a spot, shuttle riders get an extra perk from Tommy Hilfiger. Complimentary hot chocolate and coffee will be provided, and parking attendants will hand out discounts and Shopper’s Guides. Eight motor coaches will make continuous loops from Warhill Stadium, where shoppers can park, to the outlets. The first bus will depart at 8 p.m. Thursday.
Settlers Market
Out of Ulta, Stein Mart, Home Goods, Michael’s and Five Below, Ulta’s website is the only one listing anything about Black Friday deals.
Ulta’s Black Friday deals will start at 7 p.m. Thursday online, while stores will open at 8 p.m. Thursday. No deals are announced on the website, but there’s a special webpage set up for Black Friday.
Monticello Avenue
Belk is offering sale items from its after Thanksgiving sale, which it started doing Nov. 24. The only sale prices that aren’t available now are the early bird deals, which will be available beginning 8 p.m. Thursday.
In addition to the after Thanksgiving sale, Belk will also celebrate Cyber Monday with a three-day door buster and cyber sale Dec. 1 through 3.
Target began gearing up for Black Friday early, offering a pre-Black Friday sale with daily door busters between Monday and Wednesday. Target store will begin offering Black Friday deals on Thursday.
High Street
Quirks of Art is mixing things up on Black Friday, and it will instead celebrate Plaid Friday. Customers will receive $20 rewards for every $75 spent; shoppers donning plaid attire will receive a free gift.
The Marquis at Williamsburg
Best Buy is moving Black Friday to Thursday, with stores opening at 6 p.m. Tickets will be handed out to shoppers as early as 4 p.m. Thursday. While sale previews are online now, there are also “Midnight Mystery” items that can be previewed online after 10 p.m. Thursday but will only be available in stores after midnight Thursday.
Kohl’s is moving Black Friday to Tuesday, with deals available online beginning Tuesday and running until 3 p.m. Friday. In store, deals will be available beginning 8 p.m. Thursday and ending 1 p.m. Friday. Between Nov. 26 and Dec. 1, shoppers will earn $15 Kohl’s cash for every $50 spent.
Dick’s Sporting Goods is taking the Black Friday concept and running with it: door buster deals have been offered online for the past few weeks. Official Black Friday deals begin midnight Thursday. Dick’s is also having Cyber Week deals beginning Dec. 1 and 12 Days of Deals beginning Dec. 8.
JC Penney is joining the Marquis stores offering Black Friday early, with all Black Friday deals available online Thursday and Friday. Stores will open to offer Black Friday deals beginning 8 p.m. Thursday.
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart is currently offering some items for sale at Black Friday prices, but other Black Friday deals won’t be available until 6 p.m. Thursday.