Walmart leads local charge to cash in

Black Friday got off to a slow start for Glenn County shops and businesses.

While some local stores opened earlier than usual, many did not open at all.

The Willows Walmart store participated in the Midnight Thanksgiving Day sale which reportedly was packed, shoppers interviewed Friday morning said.

But a number of Walmart customers came from out of town for the bargains instead of shopping closer to home.

"We usually go to the one in Yuba City," Mary Prasad of Colusa said. "But this one's less busy.""

Prasad said she bought lots of toys, heated throws, sheet sets and pots and pans at the Willows store. "We got good deals."

Toys for the children were on Lisa Williams' Christmas list as well.

She also bought electronics like MP3 players, portable DVD players and more, she said, after coming down to Willows from Elk Creek.

The clerk told Williams it was slower Friday morning, she said, but the aisles were packed for the early hours sale.

Rueben Dockter of Colusa came out of the store with a 42-inch television he purchased for his daughter. "It was a good price," he added.

Walmart Manager Tori Burke said the shopping at Willows was good and the crowd was bigger this year.

Burke added the big sellers were its advertised 32-inch TVs for $198 and the 19-inch models for $100 along with DVDs.

Downtown Holly Meyers and Dolores Amaro readied their antique and gift shop "The Gathering" for customers who began trickling in late Friday morning.

Cyndy Glines of Willows said she is one regular customer to the Sycamore Street store that sells furniture, ornaments, wooden signs and country-themed gift items.

"I come here because it has all the stuff I like," Glines said. "I shop antique stores all of the time. If they know I am looking for something, they will look for it for me."

Glines was picking up a chair she purchased that morning, she said.

"I love the candles and the wreaths," said Becky Love of Willows. "They have great prices here. They are sky high at most places."

Meyers also is pushing a new shopping campaign for "Small Business Saturday" in which shoppers on the Saturday after Thanksgiving will visit small stores for their holiday gift lists. It is a national campaign supported by American Express, she said.

Business at 76 Joy St. on Butte Street was a bit slower, according to Sales Clerk Pam James.

However, the long-time gift store has been running a 50 percent off sale for a month or so and is continuing it, she said.

"A lady looked at lamps Wednesday and is planning to come in today to look again," James said.

She expects things to pick up next week when Willows hosts its annual Christmas Craft Fair on Dec. 4., James said.

Becky Taylor of Tootsie's said she had a few people in Friday morning as the women's' clothing store got out its holiday items.

"We're hoping for a good day tomorrow," she added.

In Orland, things also were slow since merchants interviewed indicated many locals go to Chico for post-Thanksgiving sales.

But they also expected things to pick up today with visitors to the Orland Craft Fair stopping by on their way to of from the Glenn County Fairgrounds.

Lynn Fortner and Brooke Drake of Garnet Hill said they had two customers come in Friday morning and buy Christmas ornaments from their extensive inventory of decorations.

"People are decorating their trees," Drake said, and buying candles.

The store also carries jewelry, purses and antiques, and the women said they will gift wrap and deliver items purchased as well.

"We are seldom busy on Black Friday," said Paul Briggs of Shaky Shingle Antiques. "Our Black Friday will be this weekend with the craft fair."

He said his shop gets some customers who come just once a year, so today will be a big day.

Besides antique furniture and knickknacks, Briggs sells Christmas ornaments and gift items, he said, yet the furniture is starting to move again, too.

Two customers came into the shop Friday browsing for bargains.

"I like sleepers that I can steal," David Cook of Corning said. "I don't care if it's a small thimble or a house."

Scott Jaunrubenis of Layette said he was looking for old photographs, lithographs and anything "that jumps out at me" while visiting family in Chico.

Classy Sassy Boutique Owner Genoveva Santana sells "Missy and Plus Size" women's clothing on Walker Street.

She opened her regular time at 11 a.m. and had some customers checking out clothing Friday morning.

"I came the other day and saw a shirt I liked," said Ketina Fleming-Ramirez of Orland. "My kids will be back later to get my present."

Santana opened the boutique Sept. 1, she said, and is catering to a niche clientele. She also provides gift certificates so women can get the clothing, purse or shoes they desire.

Contact Rick Longley at 934-6800 or rlongley@tcnpress.com.