Black Friday Sales After Thanksgiving Near Portland, Oregon

The day after Thanksgiving has been a big shopping day (some say the biggest shopping day) for a long time, but only in recent years has it become known as Black Friday. Why Black Friday? Isn't this supposed to be the beginning of the joyous season?

Certainly it's a difficult day for anyone working in retail. Stores are swamped, people are in "I want" mode, and customers are often cranky when they don't get what they want, or when they have to wait in line for it.

All that is hard on the shoppers, too, but in return, they do get some great deals, and even free items.

In Portland, Oregon, the chain stores have their usual sales, but local companies get in on the action as well. In fact, the local sales may be even better. A glance at the Wal-Mart preview on blackfriday.info didn't reveal anything I'd care to race over there for. A $30 DVD player isn't unusual or thrilling any more.

Fred Meyer isn't exactly a local company any more; it's now owned by Kroger, Inc. Despite that, Fred Meyer still holds its annual sock sale on Black Friday at all Fred Meyer stores. All socks are half price from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Men, women, and children can all stock up on socks (and some brands of tights) for the year. Even high quality dress socks, and extra warm wool socks are on sale. This is a can't-miss sale for most Portlanders.

Fabric Depot at SE 122nd and Stark is always the place to go for discounted fabrics, notions, and sewing supplies, but on Black Friday it just gets better. Most items are 40 to 50 percent off on this shopping day. Stock up on fabrics, patterns, knitting supplies, craft supplies, and more! All scissors will be 50 percent off, and all quilting prints will be 40 percent off. If you need a gift for the quilter or seamstress in your life, this is the place to go. Fabric Depot is open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

For the handy person, Ace Hardware stores open at 7:00 a.m. Friday. Go early to get free Mini Icicle Christmas Lights, and stick around to find tools, toys and more.

If you're looking for kid-friendly shopping, try Macy's downtown. Macy's is housed in the former Meier and Frank department store building (another local business bought ought by a national chain) at 621 SW 5th Avenue. Macy's is continuing Meier and Frank's tradition of a holiday parade downtown on the day after Thanksgiving. Kids can enjoy the parade and watch for Santa Claus, and parents can take advantage of sales at Macy's and other downtown stores. Macy's Holiday Parade starts at 8:45 a.m. Friday, beginning and ending at Lincoln High School. Macy's downtown Portland store will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Don't forget to pick up a singing Hannah Montana doll for $14.99.

While you're downtown, plan on a trip to Powell's Books. According to their website, Powell's is the largest independent used and new bookstore in the world, and well worth a trip any time. Take advantage of the opportunity while you can. Powell's is located at 1005 W. Burnside, and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

If you don't want to get up early, don't bother going to bed Thursday night. Both Columbia Gorge Premium Outlets (450 NW 257th Way in Troutdale) and Woodburn Company Stores (1001 Arney Road in Woodburn) are holding midnight madness sales, starting at 12:00 a.m. Friday. At the Columbia Gorge outlets, OshKosh B'Gosh is offering a free Radio Flyer Little Red Wagon with a $100 purchase, and the Christian Outlet will give away a free holiday music CD with any purchase.

Additional Black Friday information for the Portland area:

Wal-Mart stores open at 5:00 a.m.

Kohl's stores open at 4:00 a.m., and they are offering a free $10 Kohl's gift card for every $50 you spend.

Kmart stores open at 6:00 a.m.; they are offering free American Fare Nuts.

Toys 'R Us stores open at 5:00 a.m. Look for Dora's Magical Castle and accessories, all 50 percent off; also, all backpacks will be $7.00.

Staples opens at 6:00 a.m. Get a Compaq dual-core 15.4" laptop w/ 1GB RAM, 80 GB hard drive, DVD-RW, and a free printer for $349.98, or some free 4X6 photo paper.

Ikea (10280 NE Cascades Parkway) opens at 9:00 a.m. Shoppers who visit the store now can get a coupon for a free breakfast valid November 23-25.