Like many retailers nationwide, Downers Grove merchants are kicking off the holiday shopping season a little early in the hopes of avoiding a repeat of last year’s globally dismal sales.
Although I’ve become enamored of online shopping in recent years, I make an exception for our downtown stores, which provide not just nice gifts and good deals, but a homey, small-town atmosphere, as well.
Downtown shops are making it easier to get a jump on holiday shopping by extending their hours well in advance of Black Friday. They are as follows:
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday and Friday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Nice to see the Christmas tree is already up and ornaments are a hang’n.
Not to be all scrooge here, but why don’t the stores stay open later all year round? It would seem that there is more foot traffic during the afternoon and evenings. Not counting weekends of course. Our downtown must not be that retail juggernaut people thought it was during the ATI conversation.
I agree with Chad 100%. The first night I brought my gf down there (now my wife) she said that it was “nice but looked like a morgue” at night.
Do we really need to shop earlier? Do we really need more days of shopping before Christmas?
I prefer to focus on the holiness of the season and preparation for Christmas.
I will continue to reserve my one day for shopping in the first or second week of December. No changes necessary.
Bob,
I think the point is that these retailers should adjust their hours of operation year round. I feel they should open later in the day and stay open later at night. I feel that is a big reason why down town DG is a ghost town except for bars and restaurants after dark!