Golden Triangle retailers are gearing up for early-bird Black Friday shoppers.
Walmarts in both Columbus and Starkville will open their gates the earliest, with sales beginning at 6 tonight.
With the Egg Bowl also happening tonight, Walmart store associates in Starkville said coming as early as 6 p.m. might be the best option for those wanting to shop in a lesser crowd. As the night goes on, more people are expected to crowd the store.
Also in Columbus, another retail giant will open their doors today. Belk will be open 4 p.m. today to 1 a.m. Friday, and will reopen from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. on Friday. When Black Friday shopping at Belk, expect to see women scramble to the $20 fashion boots, while men head over to the BOGO pants.
Moving on to small businesses, director of Main Street Columbus Barbara Bigelow said she expects to see more holiday shoppers taking advantage of local Black Friday sales than in years past.
Park Place Boutique and Salon will be open 1 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, and the first 10 customers will receive a $20 gift card. There will also be a scratch-off discount card of 15 to 40 percent off for every customer until 10 a.m.
Mira Mira boutique will open at 7 a.m. Friday, offering 15 percent off shopper’s entire purchases.
In Starkville, Mississippi State University apparel retailers will offer both Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday sales, encouraging those who are in town for The Egg Bowl to stop by before the rivalry game.
The Lodge, located on Highway 12 in the Southdale shopping center, will be open from noon-6 p.m. today and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Black Friday. Deals include 75 percent off sale on select MSU merchandise and 25 percent off Dak Prescott merchandise.
Sports Center will be open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today, offering a 25 percent off sale storewide. Friday, the store will have sales including 40 percent off all MSU apparel and 50 percent off Columbia Sportswear and Drake Waterfowl brands starting at 9 a.m.
Other businesses in Starkville, including Restaurant Tyler and The Eat With Us Group, which manages Sweet Peppers Deli, Bulldog Burger and Central Station Grill, will have Black Friday gift card sales.
For a full list of Starkville businesses participating in Black Friday, visit www.starkville.org.
Business openings, closings
In Columbus, a new nurse practitioner’s office is open. On Time Health Care and Counseling, located at 2104 Fifth St. N., is operated by Nurse Practitioner Beatrice Bailey.
On Highway 45, the old U-Haul building previously owned by Bobby Watkins, has recently been demolished. The building was sold in 2016 when Watkins sold Watkins’ Washette Laundromat. It is now being torn down to offer more parking for Columbus Laundromat.
The Globe, a retail store specializing in men’s clothing located on Main Street, will be closing its doors soon. The Globe has been open in Columbus since 1975.
In Starkville, Aunt Marti’s Bakery, located on Russell Street, will be closing by the end of December. The bakery has been operating for three years.
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