Want to avoid the long lines? Shop locally
By Reagan Hackleman
Originally published on News8 Austin, December 9, 2006

In the retail world, the day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday. The reason: it's usually the day stores start making money.

While stores like Target and Wal-Mart slash prices, open early
and close late, independent local stores count on shoppers who don't want to deal with all the chaos.

"We don't open at 5 a.m. We don't have big mobs of people
coming in and I believe that's a benefit, because people tend to come into the store because it is more pleasant, quieter but it is still plenty busy for us. We have extra staff scheduled for those two days," Whole Earth Provisions co-owner Joe Jones said.

At malls, shopping centers and Central Texas' famous outlet malls, the lines will be long and the aisles will look like parking lots. And it's not for everyone.

"You want to go somewhere that is unique. Like I said, why go
somewhere that everyone else can go?" holiday shopper Sue Garcia said.

Local shopping

Independent retailers are expecting mobs of post-Thanksgiving shoppers, and that's just fine with them.

On Friday, you won't find Garcia at the mall or in a national chain store. She'll be shopping locally.

"I like to shop at stores that are independent because it keeps my purchases in the community," she said.

According to the Austin Independent Business Alliance, local businesses contribute three times more to the local economy than national chain stores do.

"This is a really important time for them. This is when they bring in a lot of revenue that sustains them during the slower months during the year," AIBA development director Melissa Miller said.

One thing you won't find at Whole Earth Provision Company on Friday is the 70 percent off sales. And you won't find huge lines at the cash register.

"It will be a much more pleasant shopping experience due to it being more quiet and calmer, and also a different selection of items to choose from," Jones said.

Since Christmas falls on a Monday this year, Whole Earth is
expecting the Saturday and Sunday before Christmas to be their
busiest.

Which is exactly why shoppers like Sue Garcia will be back. You might say she's thinking outside of the big box.