Nov. 24—GOSHEN — Kristin Saner, director of marketing at Fables Books in downtown Goshen, said her store had normal business hours for Black Friday, opening at 11 a.m.
"It's been going really well," Saner said midafternoon, noting the number of Black Friday shoppers who have been seen during the course of the day, at her store and others. "We've had a variety of people. We have people who are just sort of enjoying being downtown. Sometimes you just need to get out of the house after Thanksgiving."
Saner said that Fables in one of a number of business downtown who are taking part in "Plaid Friday," which seeks a more friendly and leisurely approach.
"We encourage people to wear plaid and maybe come downtown and support local," she said, adding that at her store customers are buying used and new books, kids books, games and others. "They're buying all sorts of stuff."
Matt Remy, general manager of Menards in Goshen, said that although his store was closed Thanksgiving, business has been booming Friday since doors opened at 6 a.m.
"It's been non-stop," he said shortly after noon, adding that they are on a three-day sale, while supplies last.
Remy said that though their year-round focus is on home and gift-related items, toys were selling especially well Friday.
"They're flying off the shelves," he noted.
Autumn Montoya, Ligonier, visited the store with her fiancé, Jamie Fox, and was browsing through the toy section.
"His nephews like little toys like this," she said. "They were $30 and now they are $12.99, which really helps."
The store also had a special "Enchanted Forest" section, devoted to Christmas trees and other decorations, which Remy said were also selling very well.
"In general, this has been one of our busiest days of the year," he said, offering a rough estimate of 6,000 to 7,000 customers who had visited the store.
Remy added, also with respect to toys, his store partners with the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program.
"We specifically do Toys for Tots but other stores may support other programs," he said.
According to The Associated Press, nationwide, many retailers ordered fewer goods for this holiday season and pushed holiday sales earlier in October than last year to help shoppers spread out their spending. The early shopping trend accelerated during the pandemic when clogs in the supply network in 2021 made people buy early. But this year, retailers said more shoppers are focusing on deals and waiting until the last minute.