By By Lisa Tindell
and Lydia Grimes
the brewton standard
Tenisha Jones was second in line for a laptop at Walmart overnight Thursday, one of many shoppers who stayed up late or got up early to take advantage of “black Friday” sales.
Jones had been in the store — which stayed open all night — since 10:30 p.m. Thursday, but shoppers couldn’t actually make black Friday purchases until 5 a.m.
Merchants in Brewton and East Brewton are hoping customers will have the same enthusiasm throughout the Christmas shopping season this year — and city officials say keeping the money in Brewton will help everyone.
Brewton City Clerk John Angel said shopping at home will help the city by providing revenues that keep local services running.
Angel said revenues from sales in Brewton help to provide services from police and fire departments as well as a number of other services provided by the city.
Area merchants are also hopeful about the Christmas shopping season, with many seeing early signs of a good year.
Sears manager Robin Hammac said that she was pleased with the store’s black Friday business.
Shoppers were also checking to see what Weaver’s and Shades of Gray had for their sales. Candy Smith said business had been good.
Fred’s Discount in East Brewton was also doing a brisk business Friday, after customers had lined up for the store’s opening. Sonnie Johnson, store manager, said sales went well all morning long.
Smith at Weaver’s and Shades of Gray said the distribution of funds from Christmas Club accounts may be one reason shoppers are out earlier.
Those deals and discounts do bring out shoppers and Mike Hart at Badcock Home Furnishings and More has seen evidence of that fact already.
Hart said he is hopeful that the season will be a good one economically for his business and others in the area.
Melanie McGougin of Jus Do said her season has seen a somewhat slower start, but with the big after-Thanksgiving sales available, sales are expected to increase in the coming weeks.
McGougin said the period leading up to Christmas would see deals and discounts not found in out-of-town locations.
At Bonehead Boots, Sherry Davenport said she is anticipating a good year at her business on South Boulevard.