By Ngoc Vo

With various Black Friday sales and specials, local businesses try to encourage community members to shop locally, boosting the area’s economy.

First Impression will offer a 30 percent off discount storewide from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.

“When (customers) think they get better deals in Dothan or Montgomery, they are taking tax dollars out of the county, and our school system needs it,” said Cathi Grant, First Impressions store manager. “Not to mention, the entire community benefits from shopping locally.”

“Plus, we are so much nicer,” Grant said. “Try going to  big stores and to be waited on. We offer personal service. Customer satisfaction is our No. 1 priority.”

Pike County Chamber of Commerce president, Kathleen Sauer, said several of the reasons to shop locally included checking products prior to purchase, assistance in product selection and no shipping costs. Moreover, many of the local vendors carry specialty items that represent the Pike County area.

“When you shop locally, you support local business, help employ local people and increase our local, county and state government through taxes,” Sauer said. “In turn, we have a greater rate of (government) spending locally and the collected taxes are allocated in many different ways that help grow and maintain our cities and county.”

Sauer said the Chamber would like for citizens and residents to take advantage of the local shopping opportunities as well as encourage others outside of Pike County to visit and shop in the area.

According to Shaunna West from Perfectly Imperfect, local Black Friday sales also give shoppers more convenient shopping.

“For us, we want to be able to offer something special to our local customers so they don’t have to go out of town to get good deals,” West said. “As a consumer, I want to be able to drive five minutes down the road to get those deals, not driving 45 minutes on the highway.”

Perfectly Imperfect will offer up to 40 percent discount storewide and select items on sale at cost-price. The discount amount will lessen as the day goes on, according to West.

Hillary Byrd, manager of E + Me, said a customer’s delight is one of the store’s commitments.

“There is no customer service like small business customer service,” Byrd said. “Since we are a small business, we are able to offer decoration and services that customers cannot get in big stores or online. We enjoy making the experience fun for the customers.”

E + Me takes sales and efforts to maintain a satisfied customer base seriously, she said. Byrd said it is what keeps the store afloat.

E + Me will have up to 50 percent off their clothing, exclusions  will apply to several of the items. E + Me will also feature 20 percent off other items in the store. Customers with a $100-purchase will receive free gifts while supplies last.

Like West, Julie Sanders, from Glow, said there are a lot of great things a smaller retailer can offer especially in downtown area.

“People often automatically assume nowhere in this town has anything to offer,” Sanders said. “They don’t venture out to see our items. We have customers walking in everyday surprised that we carry brands that stores in bigger cities don’t even have.”

Glow has selected half-priced holiday gift sets through Friday while supplies last, and the store will feature up to 30 percent off of items. The store also has a special jewelry and apparel section that will garner 90 percent off during Friday’s sale.

Cotton Creek’s owner, Bryan Smith ,said support for local businesses is much needed.

“I don’t think Walmart, Target or BestBuy need any more help,” Smith said. “But it’s very important for small businesses for sure to receive support from the community.”

Cotton Creek will have a sidewalk sale with items up to 75 percent off as long as supplies last. From 9 to 11 a.m., the store will also hold a chance-to-win game where customers can receive free gifts or discounts between 20 and 50 percent. From 11 a.m. to closing, all items in the store will be 25 percent off.

The Pink Parlor will also have various sales up to 70 percent off on selected items.