LAKE COUNTY ? With lit Christmas trees, sales and friendly staff, Lake County businesses hope to attract shoppers for Black Friday.
Lori Peters, executive director of the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, said local shops tend to be less crowded, have a warm atmosphere and workers who know people”s names.
“You”re not going to get run over by someone”s shopping cart,” Peters said.
Many shops and most nationwide stores will be open today and Saturday with discounted prices to reel in holiday shoppers, Peters said. While many small shops open about 10 a.m., department stores are opening early, such as Sears with 4 a.m. doorbuster sales.
“You can do most of your shopping before I get up in the morning,” Peters said.
Peters thinks local businesses offer products not everyone will have and customer service, while nationwide retailers have cheap buys, she said.
“It”s a good reminder to shop local and make a commitment to take care of local businesses,” Peters said.
Melissa Fulton, chief executive officer of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, thinks shopping in Lake County benefits the buyer and the county, she said.
“By shopping locally, sales tax dollars support the local community,” Fulton said. “Businesses donate to local youth groups and organizations that in turn support our community.”
Fulton said Lake County businesses have good quality gifts and shoppers don”t have to spend a lot of time and wear and tear on their vehicles to buy what they need. Leslie Firth, president of the Lakeport Main Street Association, thinks every Lakeport downtown business will be open with sales today, including Pieces Boutique and Main Street Gifts, both will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., she said.
Firth said 18 Lake County businesses will participate in a Shop & Win Christmas Cash raffle where shoppers who collect five bills showing they bought $50 worth of products will be entered into a cash prize drawing.
Downtown stores will let customers leave purchased products at the store for wrapping and later pickup so that shoppers can walk around without carrying bags, Firth said.
“You can”t get that in a big department store,” Firth said. “You won”t get that kind of attention.”
Firth thinks Black Friday is a good opportunity to support local businesses and the community, she said.
“When you go to Ukiah for shopping, they”re paving their streets and not ours,” Firth said. “If we don”t have it we”re going to go find if for you, if you have the patience.”
Contact Katy Sweeny at ksweeny@record-bee.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
