Black Friday has traditionally been a great kick-off for Christmas shopping and helped residents save a bit while still getting gifts for their loved ones.
This year with the Shop Estevan initiative, participating businesses are helping people to still get the best presents and save, but also to do so while keeping the money in the community.
Shop Estevan initiative partners have been gearing up to surprise the public with great deals on Nov. 27, and Laurel Buck, who owns A&A Jewellery and was also one of the initiators of Shop Estevan, said they put a lot of thought into Black Friday offers this year.
"We have a whole bunch of big savings that (could be found on) our Facebook page and our web page starting Tuesday," Buck said.
While many businesses had their deals announced a bit ahead of time, other Shop Estevan partners are preferring to keep their deals a secret all the way up until 7 a.m. Friday, when they will open their doors to the first Black Friday customers.
"There will be different things happening all throughout the day. I think the last one starts at 3 p.m. Different stores are having different sales or door crushers all day," Buck said.
Anyone who'll get some shopping done in the participating businesses Friday morning will receive a complimentary breakfast at the Tower Café from 7-11 a.m. All they will need to do is show the receipt.
Other businesses will also have a lot to offer to make this Friday special for their customers.
"There are going to be some very good sales," Buck said.
The list of participating businesses as well as some of the deals can be found at shopestevan.ca and on their Facebook page.
Shop Estevan now also has their own currency. Shop Estevan Bucks come in five, 10 and 25 dollar denomination.
"People can purchase those and give them as a gift. And they can use those in any of the Shop Estevan members that are participating," explained Buck.
There is a QR-code on the front of the banknotes, which when scanned shows customers the list of where the money can be used. Shop Estevan bucks are currently available at A&A Jewellery.
Besides, Shop Estevan is bringing in limited edition Pewter Christmas ornaments to all of their locations. They will become available at the beginning of December.
"They are limited edition, so once they are gone, they are gone," Buck said.
Shop Estevan is also preparing a Christmas surprise for the community. Future editions of the Mercury will reveal more details on that.
