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Downtown Williamsport stores report brisk business on Black Friday

Gleeful downtown merchants recorded brisk sales at shops on Black Friday and looked forward to even more business today.

“It’s just been a great day,” said Debbie Kinley, co-owner of E.R. Kinley & Sons Jewelers, 131 W. Fourth St., Williamsport. “We’ve been busy since we opened today.”

Kinley noted that blustery November weather didn’t keep people from venturing to the downtown to shop.

“We saw fathers and their daughters,” she said. “A lot of families have come from out of town.”

People, she said, just seem to be happy to be out shopping.

Phone orders were also keeping the staff busy.

Kinley said the store offered no specials other than “our usual good service.”

Karen Ciccarelli, of The Clothier, said her store was busy as well.

“Black Friday is good for us,” she said.

People were outsider the store waiting for it to open at 10 a.m., she added.

Customers could take advantage of discounted prices on merchandise such as sweaters, leather jackets, and sport coats, she noted.

She was looking forward to more patrons today for Small Business Saturday.

“It’s very busy this morning,” Becky Marshall, of Patinaz, 38 W. Fourth St., Williamsport, said of Black Friday. “We had people at the door before we opened. They were waiting for us.”

Although some special holiday bargains are available to customers, it’s the shop’s unique locally handmade gifts that attract many patrons, according to Marshall.

“This is the shop that has something for everyone,” she said.

Jen Parks, owner of Avu Goldsmith, 246 Church St., Williamsport, said her business was doing well Friday.

“Holiday season is the busiest time of year,” she said. “Holidays are always a fun time for us.”

Parks said it’s always nice this time of year to touch base with customers she wouldn’t otherwise see.

“We had a holiday open house last weekend. That went really well for us,” she said. “At this time of year, we just have steady traffic.”

A long line of customers waited patiently at the checkout area of Kohl’s early Friday afternoon.

Keshia Conway, of Lock Haven, said despite the crowds that normally jam department or big box stores, she annually treks out to shop on Black Friday to take advantage of the discounts on merchandise.

“I’m not a Cyber Monday kind of girl,” she said with a laugh.

Signs proclaiming “Super Deal” and “Black Friday Deal” were posted throughout Kohl’s.

Marshall said Patinaz is offering a special deal for Small Business Saturday.

“If you buy something you are entered into a raffle for a $100 gift special,” she said.

At Le Chocolat, 420 Pine St., Williamsport, there are no special discounts.

That’s because the candy products and gift items sell themselves, according to store owners Bernie and Bonnie Katz.

“We’re very busy,” Bonnie said. “Business is doing good this year.”

Local residents and tourists too were at the shop making purchases Friday.

Bernie said he expects business to be even better today for Small Business Saturday.

Patrons could be found browsing the shelves of Otto Bookstore, 107 W. Fourth St., Williamsport.

“Things are going well,” Andrew Brum, said. “It’s been a good day so far.”

Brum said Black Friday annually attracts its share of customers who are looking for gifts for friends and family members.

Fiction titles, he said, always seem to sell well this time of year.

Among the store’s more popular books this season is the novel, “Wish You Were Here” by Jodi Picoult.

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