Black Friday Shoppers Warned of Thick Fog, Black Ice

Black Friday shoppers need to be careful for thick fog and the possibility of black ice on Friday morning.

Weather forecasters are warning that “an abundance of low-level moisture coupled with falling temperatures” may lead to some black ice during late Thursday night and the early morning hours of Friday. The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement at 9:28 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, warning Black Friday shoppers about the possibility of hazardous driving conditions. The weather service said that thick fog will develop in certain areas – especially “across the coastal plain” and near water bodies that will drop the visibility to a quarter mile or less. Black Friday shoppers headed out for early morning store openings are warned to be on the lookout for “locally dense fog and the plausibility for black ice along roadways.” “…

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Black Friday Shopping Frenzy Starts at 12:30 a.m.

The North Shore's biggest mall is open at 12:30 a.m. on Black Friday.

Shoppers in search of killer deals can begin their hunt at the Northshore Mall at 12:30 a.m. on Friday. The stores inside the mall won't all be open at that time but nightowl shoppers can hit up some of the larger department stores and certain other shops starting after midnight. The mall will also hand out "survival kits" to the first 250 shoppers. Macy's, Sears, Nordstrom kick off the holiday shopping season at 12:30 a.m. on Black Friday, followed by Toys R Us at 1 a.m. JC Penney opens at 6 a.m. and Barnes & Noble an hour later. Down the road on Route 114, Babies R Us opens at 5 a.m., with Burlington Coat Factory following suit at 6 a.m. TJ Maxx, along with the West Peabody location, hold off until 7 a.m. The mall will stay open until 10…

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TELL US: Should Mass. Blue Laws Be Eliminated?

Blue laws prohibit retailers from opening before midnight on Black Friday.

Black Friday is starting earlier than ever, as some national retailers have announced they will open the night of Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 22. However, here in Massachusetts, state blue laws prohibit stores from opening until midnight, according to an article in the Boston Globe.  Current blue laws prohibit retailers in the state from opening on Thanksgiving, thus preventing them from getting an early start on Black Friday sales, according to the Globe article. Some exceptions are restaurants, health care facilities and gas stations.  The laws, instituted in the 17th century, are intended to make sure holidays are properly observed, according to the Boston Globe.  Are Massachusetts' blue laws outdated? Should they be eliminated? Tell …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know About Shopping in Peabody

Here are a handful of tips for Black Friday shoppers.

As you're out there today doing your holiday shopping, here are a handful of tips to keep in mind.

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Mall Stores Open Even Earlier This Year for Black Friday Shoppers

Some stores at the mall are opening shortly after midnight on Black Friday this year.

Shoppers in search of killer deals can begin their hunt at the Northshore Mall earlier than ever Friday. The stores inside the mall won't all be open until 4 a.m. -- an hour earlier than last year -- but nightowl shoppers can hit up some of the larger department stores and certain other shops starting after midnight. Mall General Manager Mark Whiting also told the Salem News that the mall will open its doors at that time with the lights and heat on to allow shoppers to come and go at the stores that are open. Macy's (special deals) kicks off the holiday shopping season at 12:30 a.m. on Black Friday, followed by Toys R Us (special deals) at 1 a.m. JC Penney opens at 4 a.m. (see special deals) along with Sears (see special deals). Barnes & …

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