Store hours, shopping tips for Black Friday in the Fox Valley
Whether you're a super early Black Friday shopper, or prefer to hit the sales right after you gobble down your Thanksgiving turkey, there will be stores open for you up and down the Randall Road corridor this year.
Some stores will be open around the clock on the holiday, while others are taking a more tame approach to the hustle and bustle this year.
For example, this year the Kohl's stores up and down the Randall Road corridor are opening at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving, and won't close again until midnight on Black Friday.
In Geneva, a few stores in the Geneva Commons mall open just slightly later than Kohl's at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving. You can get your shopping done at Dick's Sporting Goods at the mall beginning at 6 p.m., and all the way to 2 a.m. Also open at 6 p.m. are Yankee Candle and Children's Place.
Opening slightly later at 9 p.m. at that mall are American Eagle, which stays open for a full 24 hours and closes at 10 p.m. on Black Friday, and Tilly's, which opens at 10 p.m.
For those who prefer to get a little sleep, several stores will be opening at 4 a.m., including Bath and Body Works, Pink and Justice.
Many more will open each hour after that in the mall, with most stores open by 8 a.m.
John Flanagan, owner of the Learning Express store in Geneva Commons, says he is opening his store at 6 a.m. on Black Friday.
All Thanksgiving weekend long, he will be running a 20 percent off storewide sale. But for those who are up super early and ready to shop, he is offering an additional 5 percent off from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
He says he's already seen many shoppers out there getting a head start on Christmas shopping, and thinks it will be a good year over all for sales.
"We are optimistic," Flanagan said.
Further north:
As you travel north along the Randall Road corridor, you will find all of the stores in the Algonquin Commons mall open by 6 a.m. on Black Friday, and will remain open until 10 p.m. Officially, the mall is closed on Thanksgiving.
The mall isn't doing any official Black Friday events as it has in the past, however, several stores will be having their own earlier openings.
For example, Dick's in Algonquin Commons will open at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving and stay open until 2 a.m. There will be a three-hour break, and it will reopen again at 5 a.m. on Black Friday.
However, if you're hoping to shop at Nordstrom Rack in Algonquin Commons you will have to wait until 9 a.m. The store is opening an hour early for Black Friday.
Staying caffeinated:
For those who need a little pick-me-up, many of the Starbucks stores along the Randall Road corridor will open at 4 a.m., including the one in Geneva Commons.
Call your favorite Starbucks location to find the specific hours.
Most all will be open on Thanksgiving, but close early for the holiday.
Indoor shopping:
If running from store to store outside isn't your thing, you may want to head inside for your Black Friday shopping.
Spring Hill Mall in West Dundee will be open from 6 p.m. to midnight on Thanksgiving Day for shoppers who are ready to go right away.
It will officially take an overnight break from midnight to 6 a.m. when the mall will reopen and remain open until 10 p.m.
However, some stores and restaurants will have different hours and open earlier or not take a break at all.
For example, Kohl's opens at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving and closes at midnight on Friday.
Santa time:
If you want a break from the shopping and are ready to compile your own list, Santa will be making his debut at Algonquin Commons on Black Friday.
He will arrive on Friday and be there throughout the weekend riding the mall's Santa Express Trolley each weekend day from 1 to 4 p.m.
That same day, he will arrive at Geneva Commons. He will stroll around that mall from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., and then head to his Santa Station near Learning Express from 2 to 3 p.m. to visit with shoppers and take photos.
• Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from Batavia to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or (847) 894-5036.