Business & Tech

Black Friday in Strongsville: SouthPark Mall Opens at Midnight

Best Buy, Kohl's, Target, other stores announce their hours

 

SouthPark Mall will start its Black Friday sales right when the day begins -- at midnight.

Marketing Director Andy Selesnik said at least 90 percent of the stores will be open for the event.

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"Dillard's won't be open, and some of the service-oriented stores, like for harcuts or eyeglasses, won't open," he said

This is the second year the mall has opened at midnight, although last year, the decision was last-minute and only about 70 percent of the stores participated.

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Selesnik admits he was skeptical about the idea.

"Then I sat at the concierge desk, watching people riding up the escalator at 2 a.m. like it was the week before Christmas," he said. "I was shocked."

In talking to shoppers, he learned many decided to make a midnight shopping trip over Thanksgiving dinner.

"It's kind of like we extended their holiday," he said. "I think we're starting a new tradition for some families."

Retailers competing for holiday gift dollars have gradually extended Black Friday hours -- where big box stores used to open at 5 a.m., they're now opening at midnight, or on Thanksgiving evening.

"People used to get up early to shop on Black Friday," Selesnik said. "Now they stay up late and go to bed at 5 a.m."

He noticed a lot of families who traditionally see a movie on Thanksgiving hit the Cinemark Strongsville for a 10 p.m. show last year, then come out and started shopping.

"It was amazing to see the line at Taco Bell at 3 a.m.," he said.

Here is a rundown of other Black Friday openings, according to BlackFriday.com:

Target: 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 22

Walmart: 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 22

Kohl's: midnight Friday, Nov. 23

Best Buy: midnight Friday, Nov. 23

Toys R Us: 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 22

Costco: 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 23

Bed Bath & Beyond: 6 a.m. Friday, Nov. 23

Home Depot: 5 a.m. Friday, Nov. 23

Lowe's: 5 a.m. Friday, Nov. 23

Big Lots: 6 a.m. Friday, Nov. 23

Office Max: 6 a.m. Friday, Nov. 23

Staples: 6 a.m. Friday, Nov. 23

GameStop: midnight Friday, Nov. 23

Old Navy: midnight Friday, Nov. 23. Stores will also be open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.

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