Farmington prepares for early bird shoppers
FARMINGTON — Downtown stores are gearing up for the annual Early Bird Sale Saturday morning. Early risers can expect jammie-clad clerks to open most stores at 6 a.m.
Moviegoers won't miss out on purchasing special movie passes as they have done previously at Mickey's Hallmark.
For years, Narrow Gauge owner John Moore has set up a card table at Mickey's to greet a long line of movie fans waiting to purchase the passes. For the past three years, tickets have also been sold at the theater as well as at Mickey's. The theater will be open this year from 6 to 9 a.m., he said Tuesday.
Reny's employees are expecting this to be the biggest early bird event yet, said Carol Robbins, store manager. She's been receiving phone calls for the past three weeks questioning when the morning event will take place.
"I had a frantic call last Saturday from a customer who feared she had missed the event on the first day hunting season started," she said. Reny's stores began the tradition with a morning sale held on the first day of hunting season. Now, it's always the first Saturday of November, she added.
"We'll miss Mickey's Hallmark this year. They were the front-runners with us for the early bird event," she said. "But the rest of the town is still involved. People can come shop in Farmington. The restaurants are all open, and most stores are holding sales all day."
Despite the downturn of the economy and with some predicting fewer Christmas sales, employees there are staying optimistic.
"Reny's is doing well. We're not going to participate in the recession," she said.
The event brings out a happy, excited spirit in the shoppers as well as the clerks, said employee Gail Watts.
"Everybody's happy. No one comes in looking tired despite the early hour," she said.
Watts comes even earlier than 6 a.m. in order to visit with shoppers waiting outside for the doors to open.
"I can even tell you who will be first in line," she said.
Farmington's newest store, 3D Games, will also open early Saturday with specials on used games and systems as well as other games and accessories, said Manager Jasmine Drown.
The store, located at 133 Broadway, will open at 6 a.m. and offer the specials until 11 a.m., said store owners Brian and Julie Libby.
Most other downtown stores haves plans for specials and early hours.
An early bird shopper breakfast is available at Henderson Memorial Baptist Church from 8 to 10 a.m. A full buffet breakfast will be available for those who finish their shopping, said organizer Liz Smith.
abryant@sunjournal.com
