Black Friday Shopping Tips for Renton, WA Area Shoppers

Early in the morning the day after Thanksgiving, many areas stores will open early to jumpstart the holiday season and will stay open to 10 or 11 pm. In fact, Saturday November 17-Monday November 19, many of the stores at the nearest large shopping mall in the area Southcenter Mall in Tukwila, WA and the stores listed in the article are already having sales. Also, members of the Boeing Employee Credit Union have a special shopping evening at Costco on Saturday, November 24^th from 7:30-9:30 pm.

Before leaving to go shopping, plan ahead. Most new advertisements will come on junk Tuesday, November 20^th. Many of the stores will provide a copy of the advertisement at the store and have them online, but the best bet is to have them on hand. Be sure to save the ads someplace where the holiday meal won't accidentally cause them to get thrown out. When you shop, get plenty of fresh air at nearby parks, eat healthy at a local restaurant, and bring snacks for the children to keep them from getting cranky. Most stores don't allow drinks or food inside.

To prevent theft, do not leave purchases locked in the car. If buying a large number of items, shop early, take a break, then return later. Park in lighted areas when shopping alone, especially after dark.

The good news about Westfield Southcenter Mall is that the two new parking garages are open. A couple other helpful tidbits, Southcenter Mall is offering $20 Discover gift cards for every $200 spent on a Discover card and Santa will be available on site to get those holiday photographs. The bad news is the new additions to the food court won't be ready until next year and the area traffic hasn't improved any. I find that really early and late night shopping provides the most comfortable shopping experience with easy in and out parking and quick service at the registers. Alternatively, those that take the bus will find themselves right at the door of their favorite department store. The Rainforest restaurant and the Nordstrom Café are open and snacks are available at Mrs Fields cookies, Orange Julius and Wetzel's Pretzels and a few others. In the parking lot outside Macy's, the Bahamas Breeze offers good food and on the free way exit heading toward Seattle on I-5, Denny's is also available. Wheelchairs and baby buggy's are available free with a driver's license mid mall near Macy's. Nearby Duwamish Trail has parks where children can run and stretch their legs.

Just around the corner from Southcenter Mall, Parkway Plaza offers many furniture stores, clothing stores, sporting good stores, electronics and more, with lots of restaurants including Zoopa's for salad, Red Robin, fast food restaurant's like McDonald's and Wendy's.

A new Target store located downtown Renton, 1215 Landing Way joins the one near Southcenter Mall. This store is conveniently located near Fry's Electronics so you can do some price comparison on electronic items like on Ipod's and Ipod accessories, currently listed as a favorite item on the Target sales ad. This store is accessible from an exit off I-405 and lunch at Ivar's or Kidd Valley.

The two most popular stores on Rainier Ave. are Fred Meyer shopping center and the Walmart. Both have plentiful parking. Nearby favorite restaurants include Billy McHales, Bento Box and Torero's. McLendon's hardware also has many of your hardware and home needs and holiday decorating supplies.

Main street Renton has a number of gift and antique stores that are fun to browse including the Feathered Nest and Uptown Glassworks. Nearby Armondo's and FinNBone offer good food. The Cedar river trail has parks where children can stretch their legs.

Whatever shopping trip that is chosen, remember, there will be many more shopping opportunities so set an easy pace, take breaks, and remember to have fun.