Discover unique holiday gifts at Wiregrass Market
As the holiday season approaches, finding the perfect gift while enjoying a festive atmosphere is a priority for many. Luckily, the Wiregrass Market has you covered!
This vibrant local event brings together the community with an eclectic mix of handmade crafts, fresh treats and unique jewelry – all in one place.
Among the market’s highlights is private pastry chef Alex Barrera, who specializes in crafting gourmet holiday-inspired honey buns.
“I make gourmet honey buns from scratch,” Barrera explained. “We top them off with Christmas flavors like peppermint chocolate, maple bacon and more.”
Events like Wiregrass Market support local businesses and provide a warm, family-friendly environment for shopping and celebration. With a wide array of goods and delicious bites, it’s a perfect outing for anyone looking to embrace the holiday spirit.
Don’t miss the chance to shop local, support talented artisans and enjoy the festive cheer. Visit Wiregrass Market and discover the joys of holiday shopping done differently.
Black Friday: A crucial day for shopping malls
As online shopping continues to dominate, traditional shopping malls have significantly declined, with many becoming shadows of their former selves. Yet, malls nationwide still eagerly anticipate one day: Black Friday.
This annual shopping frenzy remains the busiest day of the year for malls, and for Lakeland Square Mall, it’s a much-needed opportunity for businesses to boost sales.
Over the past decade, Lakeland Square Mall has faced numerous challenges, including the closures of major anchor stores like Macy’s in 2017 and Sears in 2018. These losses have left many businesses relying on Black Friday as a potential “saving grace.”
Jojo, Coffee with Jesus’s owner, emphasized the day for his café.
“Black Friday attracts a lot of people to the mall,” Jojo shared. “People come for promotions, try our coffee, love it, and they come back for more.”
To maximize profits, many stores at the mall launch deals and promotions as early as October, enticing shoppers to visit in the weeks leading up to the big day.
With the rapid decline in brick-and-mortar sales, Black Friday is vital for shopping malls everywhere, offering a lifeline in an increasingly digital retail landscape.
Black Friday hours
Many stores are closed today for Thanksgiving to allow employees time with their families, but they’ll reopen early tomorrow for Black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year. If you’re looking to score the best deals or be the first through the door, you’ll want to get there early. Walmart and Kohl’s will open as early as 5 a.m., while Target, Best Buy, and Macy’s will open at 6 a.m. Whether you are after doorbusters or trying to snag the season’s hottest items, arriving early is your best bet to ensure you get what you want before the crowds descend.
For more information about stores closed for Thanksgiving and opening hours for Black Friday refer to the images below:
Credits
- Anchor: Valeria Maldonado
- Editor: Melissa Baldelomar
- Reporters: Donivan Delmoral & Carter Timmons
- Web Editor: Luciana Cordero and Sofia Reyes
- Audio: Ava Jochims
- Tech Director: Malia Knight
- Producer: Fallon Crowell
- Assistant Producer: Marissa Stiff
- Graphic Designer: Valeria Maldonado
- Social Media: Marla Rodriguez
- Teleprompter: Paula Sanchez
- Camera: Marla Rodriguez
- Graduate Assistant: Grace Ficara
- Faculty Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Anderson