After a busy day of eating and frivolity, what better way to burn off some of those Thanksgiving calories than with America's foremost post-Turkey Day tradition: shopping at a busy store.
To be fair, there's plenty of football and family time to be had on Thanksgiving weekend, along with some leftover turkey. But preparations are underway for a busy Black Friday and an eventful Small Business Saturday, with the kickoff to Christmas in Springfield among the many highlights.
Here's a look at what people should expect for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday in Springfield:
Black Friday and Small Business Saturday details
Black Friday is the name generally given to the day after Thanksgiving, named as such because retail chains use that day – and the period from Halloween to Christmas Day – to help make a profit for the year.
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As a result, they try and do as much as they can to get people into the door – those infamous "doorbuster" deals are a notable example. With the continued advent of online shopping, many retailers have extended those deals out weeks in advance.
The hustle and bustle of Black Friday has led to other special shopping days, most notably Small Business Saturday. While Black Friday was mainly passed down from generation to generation, Small Business Saturday is a marketing initiative of American Express, designed to support brick-and-mortar businesses not generally connected with major retailers.
The federal Small Business Administration has helped sponsor it since 2011 and nearly $18 billion was spent at independent retailers, restaurants, and bars across the nation in 2022 on Small Business Saturday.
What should I expect for Black Friday?
If you do shop in person on Black Friday, some stores will open early. Here's a list:
5 a.m. opening
Kohl's on Veterans Parkway and Old Navy's store in Southwest Plaza.
6 a.m. opening
Walmart, three Springfield locations: 2760 N. Dirksen Parkway, 1100 Lejune Drive, and 3401 Freedom Drive, along with stores in Taylorville, Lincoln, Jacksonville, and Pittsfield.
Target, 3445 Freedom Drive.
Best Buy, 3193 South Veterans Parkway.
Menards' two Springfield locations: 2701 Marketplace Drive and 2250 Chuckwagon Drive.
Dick's Sporting Goods, 2501 Wabash Avenue.
Macy's, 104 White Oaks Mall.
Open at 7 a.m.
Scheels, 3801 South MacArthur Boulevard.
Farm & Home Supply's two Springfield locations, 3030 Wabash Ave. and 2804 N. Dirksen Parkway, along with their stores in Lincoln and Pittsfield.