BY STEPHEN H. COWLES/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Playback58@gmail.com

FRANKLIN—Carlton Cutchin on Thursday kept Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving.

As more stores pushed back their midnight Friday openings to Thursday evening in hopes of luring more shoppers for Black Friday — the biggest shopping day of the year — the owner of Ace Hardware in Franklin stuck with tradition.

“It’s the only time families can have as a real holiday,” said Cutchin, who opened at 6 a.m. Friday for the traditional kickoff to the Christmas shopping season.

Sale items include 20 to 25 percent off Carhartts and Craftsmen combo tool kits for $79.99.

Locally, Walmart began Black Friday sales at 8

p.m. Thursday and Belk opened at midnight. Stores open all day Thursday were Dollar General, Rite Aid and Walgreens.

Radio Shack near Walmart planned to open at 6 a.m. today.

“It’ll be fine and fun,” said Roxanne Czewski, district training store manager.

Featured sales will be Digix computer tablets for $149.99, Samsung mobile phones at $69.99 and Garmin GPS devices for $99.99.

Czewski remembers last year when several people camped out in front the store. She hoped for a repeat Friday.

Business had already starting picking up even before this day, she said.

“If they’ve not shopped already, they’re making their lists and comparisons now,” said Czewski.

The Virginia ABC store will get into the act, offering 25 to 50 percent off select merchandise from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.

The Sears in Franklin did not open Thursday, but is offering discounts ranging from 25 to 54 percent off Craftsmen Power lawn and garden items, Kenmore Elite refrigerators, and washers and dryers.

“We’ve been ordering extra merchandise, getting ads and signage out, and making sure prices are competitive and correct,” said Assistant Manager Gin Spivey. “Business has picked up. There are very encouraging milestones”

Spivey isn’t expecting any campers, but recalled that in past years the lines where short when the doors opened.

Dails Home Center in Franklin on Wednesday saw shoppers looking for early deals, said Office Manager Barbara Nelson. They were told to come back Friday.

Signs were put out Wednesday night, and rain checks were also ready. Fraser fir Christmas trees, hunting supplies and Eden Pure Heaters are among the sales specials.

“It’ll be busy in the morning, then slack off, and busy again in the afternoon,” said Nelson.