Businesses gear up for Black Friday

Although many national businesses have begun their Black Friday sales, most Fallon firms are either opened Thursday night or early Friday morning for Christmas shoppers.

The major national retail outlets such as Walmart, Sears, Walgreens and CVS plan to open Thanksgiving for their plethora of holiday deals.

Whether the businesses are national or local, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Natalie Parrish said Churchill County residents should check out the local deals first before heading to Reno.

Parrish said it’s important to support businesses in Churchill County and patronize businesses that promote the Live Local Fallon campaign.

Comptroller Alan Kalt said with residents spending locally, each dollar filters through about six or seven hands.

Big R, a farm and home supply store, will offer 25 percent off clothing, jewelry and toys and 10 percent off on anything else. A store spokesperson said Big R is open Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

During last seasons, Big R noticed more confidence in spending, and consumers liked big-ticket items such as generators, compressors, chainsaws and power equipment.

At Louie’s Ace Hardware, Matt Louie said the store will have specials on items that they don’t usually carry for the entire year such as toys and gifts,

“We’ll also have deals on tools,” the general manager added.

Louie’s will be closed Thanksgiving but open on Friday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. He said many of the sales will continue through Sunday and include Small Business Saturday, a national day for shoppers to visit their hometown stores. Louie said he expects a busy morning on Friday.

Down the street at Sears, the Fallon store will open Thanksgiving from 6-11 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m.- 7 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

“We’ll have continuous sales through that time,” said store co-manager Bob Clay.

He also said customers can contribute to the Make a Wish program by donating $5 or $10.

He said store associates will know what the store sales items are for Black Friday sometime today, but he said previous Black Friday sales have centered on tools and appliances.

A customer service representative at the Fallon Verizon store is having a promotion for family and friends day though Saturday. The store, though, will be closed today.

Likewise, GameStop in the Stillwater Shopping Center opens Friday at 5 a.m. for its Black Friday deals.

Bealls and Big 5 Sporting Goods plan to have Black Friday sales. Bealls opens at 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving until 2 a.m. for doorbusters and then again on Friday at 6 a.m. Big Five swings open the doors Friday morning at 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. with super Big Friday specials. After that, Big 5 will have a sale through the weekend.

According to Walmart, the majority of their Black Friday deals are also available on walmart.com beginning at 12:01 a.m. tomorrow morning including televisions, video games consoles and small home appliances. Walmart then opens its doors on Thursday at 6 p.m.

“Our customers an count on us to deliver three things on Black Friday — we’re offering amazing prices, we bought the gifts they want and we simplified the shopping experience in stores and online,” said Steve Bratspies, chief merchandising officer for Walmart U.S.

Walgreens kicks off Black Friday on Thanksgiving with deals extending through Saturday. CVS has split its deals into two segments: Monday-today and Thanksgiving through Saturday.