A display of Chef & The Farmer products at Leon Thomas Treasures in downtown Kinston. Photo courtesy of Facebook

After the turkey comes the shopping. Holiday shoppers in the area may be looking forward to the bargains to be found Friday, but local business owners are gearing up for one of the most important shopping days of the year.

Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce President Laura Lee Sylvester said she hopes consumers will shop local this Black Friday, because this is the kickoff of the holiday season, which is vitally important for local retailers. Those retailers have big plans for providing lots of great deals to those on the lookout for savings.

One of those local retail giants is Neuse Sport Shop, owner Russell Rhodes said,

“We have two stores now, so the challenge is doubled,” Neuse Sport Shop owner Russell Rhodes said.

He said there will be deals all weekend at Neuse Sport Shop, including doorbuster deals starting at 7 a.m. Friday, and 20 percent off storewide (with some exceptions) through Sunday at 9 p.m. Rhodes said his team focuses on providing excellent customer service every day, and this weekend will be no exception, with the store providing free gift wrapping services with all purchases to help customers who are getting a head start on their Christmas shopping.

For Tonya Adams at Leon Thomas Treasures at The Beauty Box, Black Friday pales beside Small Business Saturday, which she says is one of her biggest days of the year. She plans to open early, and to have giveaways every hour.

Adams said the day is always exciting, and she appreciates the local support for the artisans and vendors that sell from the shop.

H. Stadiem will also be providing specials throughout the store on Friday, according to owner Hyman Stadiem. He said the event is an important beginning to the holiday shopping season. Local merchants and shoppers agree on that point, and this coming weekend is sure to see many local people taking advantage of all the bargains to be found at local merchants throughout the area.