Retailers ready for Black Friday crowds

The Madness is about to begin.

Moonlight Madness is once again coming to Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth Beach for a night and morning of fun and shopping.

Tanger Outlets General Manager Amy Norgate said the outlets would open at 10 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 22 and stay open until 9 p.m. the next day, Friday, Nov. 23 for all Tanger Outlet stores. The outlets will be open at their usual hours on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Shoppers can find special discount offers for individual stores at the Tanger Outlets website, www.tangeroutlet.com/rehoboth. Tanger is also offering savings passes that can be downloaded online: an extra 20 percent off a single item at participating stores from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., and an extra 30 percent off a single item from 3 to 6 a.m.

Norgate said the passes are free and can be picked up in person; however, shoppers are encouraged to get them in advance because availability will be limited.

Shoppers with a mobile phone can enter into Tanger’s Moonlight Madness Sweepstakes, a chance to win one of four $1,000 shopping sprees. Norgate said Tanger is giving away one shopping spree per day for shoppers 18 or older. To enter, text “SHOP4ME” to 74700. Norgate said the winner would be chosen at 9 a.m. each day from Nov. 23-26 and sent an email with instructions on how to pick up their prize.

The image of Black Friday is one of harried shoppers trampling over one another to get a great deal. Recognizing that, Norgate said shoppers discouraged by the crowds should come from 3 to 6 a.m. She said this was typically the quiet time after the initial rush of midnight shoppers and the first wave of Friday morning shoppers.

Norgate had no dollar figures on how much the outlets took in last year, she said last year, a combined 38,000 vehicles came into the outlets for Moonlight Madness on Thursday through Black Friday.

Local businesses ready for holiday rush

Tanger Outlets, Walmart and other corporate entities are getting an early start on the holiday shopping rush by opening their doors Thanksgiving night.  Locally owned shops in Lewes and Rehoboth Beach are hoping this will bring more shoppers to their doors for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.

Micha Seto, who owns three stores in Lewes, including Blooming Boutique and Treasures jewelry and gift store, said “We used to not get a lot of business on Friday.”  Seto said many shops downtown are running early bird specials the day after Thanksgiving, hoping to bring shoppers downtown.  “We’ll see if it brings them out.  Hopefully,” she said.

Seto said all three of her Lewes stores are opening at 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 23, and Saturday, Nov. 24, and she is offering 20 percent off all merchandise from 8 to 9 a.m., and 10 percent off all merchandise from 9 to 10 a.m.  “We’re going to have sales from 25 to 50 percent off too,” she said.

Teresa Ford, owner of Kids’ Ketch on Second Street in Lewes, said the store would open at 8 a.m. on Black Friday, and offer 10 percent off all merchandise until 10 a.m.  On Small Business Saturday, Ford said, the store will give 20 percent off all holiday merchandise.  “I do expect a very big turnout,” she said.

Browseabout Books General Manager Susan McAnelly said the Rehoboth Avenue staple will open its doors Thanksgiving Day from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. to allow holiday visitors to stop in for coffee and get some early shopping done.

McAnelly said Browseabout would open at 6 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday; the store will close at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Throughout the weekend, she said, Browseabout will host local authors and the Humane Society will be gift-wrapping store purchases for donations.  Hardcover books and boxes of Christmas cards will be sold at 25 percent off, McAnelly said.

“We always optimistic.  We expect to have really strong sales,” she said.

Jackie Dettor, administrative assistant at Rehoboth Beach Main Street said many of the downtown businesses plan to open Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.  Dettor said the holiday tree lighting and Hometown Sing-a-long at 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 23, on Rehoboth Avenue are sure bring holiday shoppers.