Used to be there was just Black Friday to mark the start of the Christmas shopping season. Then Cyber Monday came along to recognize the time when office workers returning from a long weekend hit their computers and started shopping online. Then came Small Business Saturday, a creation of American Express, that has taken off to remind everyone of the local businesses that are the backbone of every community.
Creeping into the shopping mix was the previously taboo Thanksgiving Day itself. Now many stores are open either later in the day or in some cases all day long. Others, hoping to mine a potential backlash of stores taking workers away from their families, are drawing a line in the sand and staying closed.
With everyone hoping to get the upper hand, some stores this week were holding pre-Thanksgiving sales that in some cases rivaled Black Friday. By the way, the name comes from the fact that is the day that many retailers actually go into the black, or in positive territory.
This year also features one extra day in the season opening salvo — Giving Tuesday, (December 2nd), a day in which everyone is asked to step into the spirit of the season and contribute to non-profit organizations. Locally, the College of Southern Maryland has hopped on the bandwagon, encouraging contributions to scholarships and programs. Their online giving page is www.csmd.edu/Foundation
Local governments are this year helping to promote Small Business Saturday. For a full listing of all Calvert County businesses, please visit www.ecalvert.com and click on the “business database.”
On Tuesday, Nov. 11, the Charles County Commissioners presented a proclamation for the day. The La Plata Business Association (LPBA) will hold an inaugural “Shop La Plata” celebration on Saturday, Nov. 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the downtown La Plata business district. For additional information, contact Christine Parker, co-chair of “Shop La Plata” at 301-751-7553.
The following is a list of stores that will be open and closed on Thanksgiving and early openings on Black Friday as compiled by the Bay Net staff:
Who’s Closed on Thanksgiving Day?
BJ Wholesale Club
Burlington Coat Factory
Costco
Game Stop
Home Depot
Home Goods
JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores
Lowe’s
Marshalls
Neiman Marcus
Nordstrom
Ollie’s Outlet
Petco
Pier 1 Imports
T.J. Maxx
Tractor Supply
Who’s Open on Thanksgiving?
Walmart (open 24 hours; sales are staggered)
K-Mart – 6 a.m. (all night)
Big Lots – 7 a.m.-midnight
Dollar General – 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Radio Shack – 8 a.m.—noon and 5 p.m.-midnight
Family Dollar – 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
HHGregg – 4 p.m. -midnight
Michaels – 4 p.m. -2 a.m.
Peebles – 4 p.m. -1 a.m.
Best Buy – 5 p.m.-1 a.m.
J.C. Penney – 5 p.m. (all night through 10 p.m. Friday)
Belk – 6 p.m. (all night through 10 p.m. Friday)
Toys R Us – 6 p.m.
Kohl’s – 6.p.m. (all night through Friday midnight)
Sears – 6 p.m. (all night)
Staples – 6-10 p.m.
Macy’s – 6 p.m.
Target – 6 p.m.
St. Charles Town Center, 11110 Mall Circle, Waldorf, 6 p.m.-1 a.m.
Who’s Open Early on Black Friday?
Walmart (open 24 hours; sales are staggered)
Ollie’s Outlet – 5 a.m.
K Mart – 6 a.m.
Bed, Bath & Beyond – 6 a.m.
Big Lots – 6 a.m.
Radio Shack – 6 a.m.
Peebles 6 a.m.
Sears – 6 a.m.
Staples – 6 a.m.
Tractor Supply – 6 a.m.
Michael’s – 7 a.m.
Southern States – 7 a.m.
Best Buy – 8 a.m.
St. Charles Town Center will be open from 6 a.m.-10 p.m.
Editor’s Note: In same cases store advertising and/or websites were not clear if they opened on Thanksgiving whether they would be closed for a period of time before opening early on Friday. Some stores will remain open throughout the night.