Community and business this Black Friday - By Don Hutchins

As we approach the 24th of November, Thanksgiving shopping and preparations have begun to plateau with last minute pickups as folks begin to shift their focus to Black Friday sales and shopping strategy. With a number of local businesses opening their doors to purge this years’ stock for pending Christmas inventory, this is a great opportunity to support community business endeavors without breaking the bank and traveling far and wide for holiday goods and services. 
 

In Windham, Mills & Company will be opening at 9 a.m. on Friday, with sales on home goods, from comforters to knives, lasting until they close at six. Reny’s, a must-stop Maine shopping experience, is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; with a 20 percent off sale on all toys, winter boots and Christmas inventory lasting from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday morning. Blossoms of Windham provides for not only full-service floral needs, but just recently introduced their Christmas stock and encourages folks to come in anytime from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a look-see. 

For those out and about on their own on Black Friday, a variety of deals are being offered by Heaven & Earth Day Spa and Wellness Center: Including a 75-minute massage and moisturizer for $99, a spa pedicure and hand massage for $35, and a spa manicure with a foot soak at $55– anytime from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m! 

It can get tiring and stressful when you’re out shopping for holiday gifts, so why not break to treat yourself while you’re already out? If you prefer to stay in avoiding the consumer chaos, drop into The Craft Shop between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. for a wide range of creative activities any time before Thanksgiving or during Black Friday– they always have something going on!

If you’re out and about with the family, Smitty’s Cinema is a great dinner-theater experience likely to please anyone. Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Black Friday, the cinema will be offering an online-only gift card sale lasting until Monday, the 28th, at 11:59 p.m. More details will be released on its Facebook and webpage on Thanksgiving at 4 p.m. Don’t miss out! If you find yourself stumped on a gift idea, or wanna prepare for any last minute surprises, think: Who doesn’t like dinner and a show? 

In Raymond, Cricket’s Corner toy shop is offering sales from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, which is bound to have something satisfactory for any youngsters in your life. And if you find yourself hungry in that area, Cafe’ Sebago is open from 6:30 a.m. to their regular closing time and is awaiting details on delicious daily specials for the Black Friday crowds.

The Aging Crow, a family-owned country-style and primitive decor business, will open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m, offering a number of locally made home furniture and accent pieces. 

Essentials Gift Shop will offer diverse inventory, from toys and skin care products to home decor and Stephanie Dawn purses, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Check out the bags made from recycled sails and the Sea Rope Maine bracelets. 

Mexicali Blues is offering a 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. sale of 25 percent off everything in the store– with goods ranging from apparel and jewelry to bags and home decor. 

With a variety of goods typically available at a low cost, Family Dollar will be running two ads this week– one Monday and one Wednesday– outlining deals for their 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. hours on Black Friday.

While there are plenty of retailers, storefronts, and businesses to choose from on Black Friday, local businesses such as these– and many others– depend on every little transaction; each one sustaining the dreams of their owners and furthering the development of small businesses and their employees that strengthen our communities and our economy.

Local businesses benefit our communities with job offerings, economic security, and through their unique products and services that differentiate them from other in the marketplace. Their efforts, their sacrifices, and the fruit of it all stimulates a holistic sense of value, from your shopping experience to the products you bring home. Every dollar spent/earned, every interaction, counts towards fulfilling a dream, and it can all happen right close to home.