Local store owners saw as good, if not better, Black Friday despite pandemic
Gail Stevens was not sure what to expect in her store this Black Friday.
The COVID-19 pandemic had shut down her business — Park Place Boutique and Salon in Columbus — for several weeks between March and May. Brick-and-mortar stores like hers have taken hits as many customers turned to online shopping nationwide.
Local businesses set themselves apart during holiday shopping opening weekend
Sarah Barefield was pleased with her weekend, if not a little amazed.
As manager for The Purple Elephant on Wilkins Wise Road in Columbus, she saw crowds of customers during Black Friday and Shop Local Saturday move through the registers with holiday gift purchases, mostly Mississippi-made pottery items.
‘I got what I wanted, and that’s what matters’: Black Friday shoppers brave odd hours, cold weather for deals
Early-bird shoppers bundled up in their winter coats, ear warmers and scarves as they braved the cold in a Black Friday line nearing 75 people this morning at Belk.
‘Just be alert’ shopping this weekend
With the shopping crowds out for Black Friday, local law enforcement are gearing up to increase patrol and doling out tips to shoppers who want to stay as safe and comfortable as possible.
Shoppers: Black Friday crowds smaller this year thanks to retailers opening on Thanksgiving
Between Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday and retailers opening their doors in advance on Thanksgiving Day this year, Black Friday in Columbus looked like most other shopping days close to Christmastime, except shoppers were out at 6 a.m.
Stores prepare for large Black Friday crowds
Deborah Phinisey stacked a pile of men’s button-up shirts on a table in the Belk men’s department on Tuesday in preparation for Belk’s Black Friday sale.
FBI: Background checks for gun sales peak on Black Friday
The FBI processed a record number of firearms background checks on Black Friday, the agency said Tuesday.
Super Bowl of shopping is more like a scrimmage
The annual ritual of Black Friday, as we know it, is over.
Protest over Chicago teen’s shooting ties up retail district
Hundreds of protesters blocked store entrances and shut down traffic in Chicago’s ritziest shopping district on Black Friday to draw attention to the 2014 police killing of a black teenager who was shot 16 times by a white officer.
Local retailers positive on Black Friday turn-out
Columbus stores and law enforcement have been busier than usual due to Black Friday, widely regarded as one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
Ball family member denies connection to Black Friday boycott
A member of Ricky Ball’s family told The Dispatch Friday morning that they have nothing to do with a planned boycott of Black Friday shopping in response to Ball’s Oct. 16 shooting.
Boycott planned over Ricky Ball shooting
A grassroots campaign on Facebook is encouraging shoppers not to go out in Columbus on Black Friday because of the Ricky Ball shooting.
Big retailers open for Thanksgiving, many mall stores have no choice
Some big retailers face scrutiny for opening on Thanksgiving, but many small stores have no choice.
Golden Triangle residents do Black Friday
Thousands of shoppers braced the crowds and the cold Thursday night and this morning participating in Black Friday sales events.
More than 1,000 people lined up around the building at Belk, hoping to snag some of the items on sale for over 50 percent off the retail price.
Area stores, shoppers ready for ‘early’ Black Friday
In years past, Black Friday sales have been reserved for, well, Friday. Not this year.
Many stores around the Golden Triangle are opening at 8 o’clock tonight, giving shoppers a few more precious hours to snatch up the must-have items of the season.
Police, retailers gear up for holiday shopping onslaught
With shoppers expected to be out in full force Thursday night and Friday morning, local stores and law enforcement are taking extra precautions to ensure everyone has a safe experience.
“We will be out in force,” said Chief of Police Selvain McQueen.
Our view: Just say no to Gray Thursday
Tuesday, Mississippi State University sponsored a Thanksgiving meal for Starkville firefighters, a thoughtful way to acknowledge that while Thursday is a national holiday, there are some people who, by virtue of the work they do, cannot have the holiday off.
Cops: Mass. bargain hunter took home TV, left tot
Police say a Massachusetts man left his girlfriend’s 2-year-old son in a car while he went shopping for Black Friday bargains, then went home with his new 51-inch flat screen television and left the toddler behind.
Earlier Black Friday kicks off shopping season
This year’s Black Friday shoppers were split into two distinct groups: those who wanted to fall into a turkey-induced slumber and those who’d rather shop instead.
Our view: Dreaming of a white Thanksmas …
Happy Thanksgiving or — as it will soon be called — Thanksmas.