Ohio Valley Mall Gets Ready To Welcome Black Friday Shoppers | News, Sports, Jobs

Tanya Hughes, right, and her daughter, Jenna Hughes, assist a customer shopping at Connie’s Creative Collective during Black Friday last year at the Ohio Valley Mall. (File Photo)

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — A large crowd is expected to gather outside the Ohio Valley Mall early Friday morning for the annual Black Friday shopping day.

Candi Noble-Greathouse, marketing director of the mall, said the mall will open at 6 a.m. Friday, though people typically start lining up hours beforehand in order to snag some extra deals.

The mall will again be handing out “swag bags” to the first 250 shoppers, age 18 or older with valid identification, in line outside the main entrance doors. The bags will be filled with goodies and gift cards.

“Every bag is going to have some fun items. We have items from Marshall’s, Ulta Beauty, Bath and Body Works, Connie’s Creative Collective, Home Decor by Caroline, Five Below. It’s fun, Christmasy items,” she said, adding that the bags will also contain gift cards.

The first 200 bags will also include a chocolate bar, that could help shoppers could win mall gift cards ranging from $10 up to a grand prize of $500. Noble-Greathouse said each of the candy bars will have a minimum prize of $10 that can be spent at any of the mall’s retailers. The prize tickets can be redeemed at the customer service desk inside the mall, where the customer will find out how much they won.

“They’ll have the whole holiday season to redeem their prize,” she said, adding that those who do not wish to wait in line to redeem the tickets right away can wait to do so.

The mall is also offering a free-gift-with-purchase deal starting Friday.

Customers who spend a total of $300 at any mall retailer will qualify for a free gift worth $20. The gift can be redeemed by bringing receipts to the customer service desk.

Noble-Greathouse said the retailers will have some “great sales” going on as well. DJ Daner will provide holiday music from 6-10 a.m. to help get customers into the spirit.

Noble-Greathouse said they expect to see some returning customers who just enjoy the tradition of Black Friday shopping, those who come for the prizes, and people wanting to get deals on specific items from various shops. She said some people just love to get together with family and friends and enjoy the decorations and music.

“It’s their official start to the holidays,” she added.

She said customers begin waiting outside the entrance at around 3 or 4 a.m. with more people joining the line the closer it comes to opening.

“Our candy bars are usually gone within the first 10 minutes. We usually have 250 already in line by the time the doors are opening to claim their prizes,” she said.

This year’s theme is “Delivering Cheer.” Noble-Greathouse said that is just what the mall plans to do on Black Friday through entertainment, prizes, giveaways and sales.

The Salvation Army is providing gift wrapping inside the former Zales Jewelry Store, where volunteers wrap gifts at no charge until Christmas Eve. Donations are accepted that will go toward the organization’s efforts.

Noble-Greathouse said the mall encourages shoppers to stop at the Giving Tree located in the Center Court area. Those interested can choose a name tag off the tree and purchase a gift for a child in need for the holiday season.

Santa Claus has also made his return and is now available for Pictures with Santa. Santa’s booth will be open from noon to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 am. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday until Dec. 2. From Dec. 5-24, photos will be available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.