Friday, Nov. 21, 2008

Black Friday Comes Early — at least at Grapevine Mills

With a sluggish economy, many holiday shoppers are looking for the best deals and extra ways to save some green.

Grapevine Mills mall is hoping to snag some of those bargain shoppers earlier than usual this "Black Friday" — the day most retailers see large crowds and a spike in sales, moving them from "in the red" to black. Though statistics show that it is often the Saturday before Christmas that is the busiest shopping day, Black Friday is when the holiday shopping season kicks into high gear and shoppers flock to stores. Forget those shops that open at 6 a.m., the mall is beating them to the punch. Beginning at midnight, retailers will open way before dawn, and all those early bird — or night owl — shoppers can register to win a $1,000 gift card.

Each hour, from 1 a.m. to noon, a gift card will be given away. More prizes will be awarded from Sake Fifth Avenue OFF 5th, Ultra Diamonds, NIKEFactory Outlet, Fanzz, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Burlington Coat Factory, GameStop, Lenscrafters, Rainforest Café and many others, according to a news release. Winners must be present to win, and will be contacted by mobile phones. Registration tables will be at the food court.

The mall has more than 180 retailers, according to its Web site, www.simon.com/mall, and some of those will be offering exclusive discounts. And if all that shopping makes you hungry, Corner Bakery, Starbucks and Cinnabon will be open as well.

For a complete listing of stores at Grapevine Mills, see the mall directory online.

— Staff Report