Local businesses will be jumping in on the Black Friday action next week — and perhaps hoping to keep shoppers at home instead of heading out of town for deals.

Traditionally, the day after Thanksgiving has become known to those in retail as “Black Friday” — and is also the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping. Retailers look on the sales of that day as a good indication of whether the year’s profits are better or worse that the year before.

Some businesses in town are taking advantage of the expanded hours and special sales to bring in more shoppers looking for bargains. Some retailers will be closed on Black Friday so their employees can take advantage of the sales.

Sheri Davenport, owner of Bonehead Boots, said the store is not planning on opening early but will have sales that day.

“We did that a couple of years ago,” Davenport said. “I guess shoppers were going to places like Wal-Mart for the early morning specials. It didn’t help us too much so we will open at our regular hours. We will have some good specials throughout the day, and hope people do their shopping here in our area.”

Shoppers in East Brewton will find that Fred’s employees are up early on Friday.

“We are planning on opening at 5 a.m. and closing at our regular hour of 9 p.m.” said Jennifer Burnham of Fred’s. “There will be some specials throughout the store for those who want to shop early.”

Hibbett’s, located near the Wal-Mart Supercenter and the Dollar Tree,will see some early birds as well.

“We will open at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.,” said Candace  Beggett of Hibbetts. “We expect some of those who come to shop at those places will take the time to see what we have to offer. We will have some good prices for those who come by.”

Crystal Vigliante, manager of Cato’s, said the store plans to open at 7 a.m. and be open until 9 p.m., with special sales planned.

Linda Walton, manager of Dollar General, said the store will open at 7 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. Dollar General is also one of the few stores that will be open on Thanksgiving Day.

Downtown Brewton merchants got a jump start on Christmas sales Thursday, with the Holiday Kickoff drawing a crowd to stores throughout the community.

Candi Smith of Weaver’s/Shades of Gray said the store was busy throughout the day and evening — seeing more customers than last year.

“It’s been steady,” she said.

Weaver’s/Shades of Gray will also be open with special sales on Friday.

Judy Crane, executive director of the Greater Brewton Area Chamber of Commerce, said she hopes area consumers will shop Brewton and East Brewton first.

“Try to buy what you can here,” she said. “Brewton has a lot to offer that people don’t realize.”