Big-box stores will be opening on Thanksgiving evening, but some Greenwood merchants are preparing for more traditional Black Friday openings.
Conerly’s Shoes and Clothing, for example, will be open on Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“It’s one of the largest days of the year for us — for retailers everywhere,” said Gail Goldberg, co-owner of the West Park Avenue business. “It traditionally marks the beginning of Christmas shopping.”
Goldberg said they have been preparing for a year for Black Friday and already are buying for next year. But some things are more important than retail sales, she said — and Thanksgiving Day is one of them.
“We feel like it is very important, if not critical, to allow everyone — our staff, our customers and our vendors — to be able to step aside from it and be with family,” she said.
Howard Smith, owner of Smith & Co., said his store will be closed on Thanksgiving Day but will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Friday.
Smith said his company also draws significant business from sportsmen eager for duck season to begin.
“Hopefully, we’ll have some wet weather, colder temperatures and some ducks,” he said jokingly.
Smith said he typically sees an increase in shoppers on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
“They don’t want to fight the crowds,” he said.
Anthony Ola, owner of Ola’s and Anthony’s, said Thanksgiving Day is for family time, not business — but he and his staff will “have our working clothes on Friday.”
Some smaller retailers will be open Thursday, including Fred’s, which will be open at both Greenwood locations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sears on Park Avenue will be open from 6 to 10 p.m. that day.
• Contact Bob Darden at 581-7239 or bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
