Black Friday Shopping Starts Early at Kmart, Walmart, Other Big Retailers

By Jack Tobias

Shoppers will have plenty of time to avoid Black Friday crowds—by shopping on Thanksgiving.

Many malls and stores in the region are opening for at least a portion of Thanksgiving, mostly at night. But some, such as Walmart, Kmart and Old Navy, plan to open Thanksgiving morning:

Do you plan on shopping on Thanksgiving? Tell us in the comments.

Here's who will be open:

• The Bon-Ton is opening its stores at 8 p.m. Thursday, while Boscov's is opening from 7 p.m. to midnight Thursday and reopening at 6 a.m. Friday
• Many Walmart stores are scheduled to be open all day Thanksgiving, although special holiday sales are set for 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
  
• Kmart plans to open its stores at 6 Thanksgiving morning and stay open until Black Friday runs out the next day.
  
• Old Navy stores will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving, with some of its stores scheduled to reopen at 7 Thanksgiving night.
  

The following are opening times on Thanksgiving announced by other major retail chains. The times come from store websites and published reports:

• Toys R Us, 5 p.m.
• Best Buy, 6 p.m.
• Target, Macy's, JC Penney, Kohl's, Sears, Dick's Sporting Goods, all 8 p.m.

Not all national stores, however, are planning Thanksgiving openings. For instance, Burlington Coat Factory stores will open at 6 a.m. Friday, while BJ's and Sam's Club will open their stores at 7 a.m.