With the holiday shopping season coinciding with a statewide rise in COVID-19, local malls are trying to strike a balance between keeping customers safe while still offering their usual selection of Black Friday deals.
MarketStreet Lynnfield, an open-air shopping center with more than 40 shops, restaurants and services, will operate from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m Friday.
“Everything about 2020 is unprecedented, but we are so grateful to be open for business and to see people enjoying the holiday season,” said Charlotte Woods, general manager of MarketStreet. “Since we opened seven years ago, we have always provided a sense of place, connection and community to our shoppers, and we know that this year it is more important than ever to get outside of your house and have an enjoyable, safe experience.”
She expects the crowds to be large on Friday though she clarified that, since they have never been a big destination for “frenzied holiday shopping,” she didn’t expect crowds to be too large. They will be using apps to limit the number of customers allowed in stores, and will be offering guests complimentary masks.
Walmart Black Friday deals became available online at 7 p.m. Wednesday. They are also offering in-store deals at their North Shore locations in Lynn, Salem and Saugus.
The Lynn and Saugus Walmart locations will open at 5 a.m. Friday, while the Salem Walmart will open at 6 a.m. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, they will limit the number of guests permitted into their stores.
The North Shore Mall in Peabody, will open at 6 a.m. for Black Friday, and will have special holiday hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Many of their shops are offering Black Friday deals, including Pandora, Swarovski, Yankee Candle, Torrid, Express and J. Jill.
SquareOne Mall in Saugus will be offering deals at many of its 100-plus stores, including Hot Topic, Forever 21 and Express. The mall will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. this Friday.
