Black Friday in Williams Lake was a great event last year but if you thought that was fun just wait until you see what is in store for this year, says BIA executive director Judy Albin.
“A real plus for this year is that shoppers won’t have to stay up and shop late to get a deal, but some stores will be open if that’s what they want,” Albin says.
“Shoppers won’t have to shop earlier either, but some stores will be open early to make it worth their while.
“Last year we got together with Boitanio Mall and Canadian Tire and really looked at the Moonlight Magic event and decided it was getting old and tired and so we started looking at how we could spice it up,” Albin says.
“We looked at what was popular and working elsewhere and really what could be bigger and more exciting than Black Friday — to be the biggest sale day in the U.S. means something is working.
“It must have been good — this year there are ads for Black Friday all across Canada,” Albin laughs.
The great thing about downtown is that all of the stores are individual so they can make their own decisions and decide for themselves what the deals are going to be. They know their customers best, she said.
We help by promoting the day and coordinating things like the draw, which anyone can enter at participating stores throughout the day on Black Friday.
This year the draw is for a three-foot white Christmas tree beautifully decorated with the added bonus of over $1,500 in gift certificates redeemable in downtown stores.
“There are gift certificates from Starbucks, Save On, Lush Beauty Boutique, Laketown Furnishings, Taylor Made, the Sandman has put a King Size Suite — great for a night away from the kids, or for that unexpected company, and for the budding artist there is up to three hours of one-on-one in an art class with our own provincially recognized artist Dwayne Davis,” Albin says.
“If that wasn’t enough there is also $300 in gift certificates from the BIA which are redeemable, just like a cheque, at any store in the downtown and there is still more. It is going to be a fantastic prize for one lucky winner.
“To win you must be present at the draw which will be held at 9 p.m. sharp at Lake City Glass (across from the Elks Hall) on Black Friday.”
There will be hot chocolate and cookies.
The draw is an added bonus to encourage shoppers to come downtown and spend time, Albin says.
“Check out the local shops and if you haven’t been around for a while, you will be surprised at all there is to offer.
“We hear a lot from people saying they are picking up all of their Christmas shopping in town this year and they are loving it and we love to hear it. We are working together to make it worth their while.”