Barstow stores prepare for early Black Friday

BARSTOW • Local retailers aren’t waiting for the sunrise to start the sales Friday.

The Tanger Outlet and some stores at the Barstow Outlets will open at midnight for Black Friday, while Wal-Mart will still be open from Thanksgiving Day. Wal-Mart, 621 Montara Road, is opening at 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day and won’t shut its doors until 11 p.m. on Friday.

Jennifer Rodriguez, general manager of the Tanger Outlets, said that Black Friday is typically the busiest day of the year for the shopping center.

“I know last year there were lines forming at 9:30 when I was working,” Rodriguez said. “It’s become a tradition. It’s a kind of festive thing. People will be drinking hot chocolate and exchanging stories in line. I’ll be there for the shopping and work.”

All 40 stores at the Tanger Outlets, 2796 Tanger Way, will open at midnight and stay open until 9 p.m. Rodriguez said there will be giveaways for those that show up early. Ultra Diamonds, Van Heusen, Bass, Reebok, Samsonite and Tommy Hilfiger will also be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving day.

The Barstow Outlets, 2552 Mercantile Way, will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. However, Levi’s, Styles For Less, The Children’s Store and Branded USA will open their doors at midnight Friday. The Barstow Outlets will also be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday.

Alyssa Maune, assistant manager at Styles for Less, said her store, which is in the Barstow Outlets, has scheduled extra workers to cover the extra shifts.

“I’ve been working here for two years and it’s always a busy time,” Maune said. “It gets crowded in here at midnight.”

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(760) 256-4126 or dheldreth@desertdispatch.com