Small, local businesses encourage Black Friday shoppers

WARWICK, R.I. (WLNE)- Shoppers filed into the Warwick Mall early for Black Friday.

But, the biggest shopping day of the year looked a little different. Typically Warwick Mall opens its doors to Black Friday shoppers at midnight, but this year the mall didn’t officially open until 7 a.m.

Some stores, like Old Navy and JCPenny opened their doors at 5 a.m.

This Black Friday, many shoppers told ABC6 News they were starting at the mall, but moving to smaller businesses as they started to open up throughout the day.

“Personally, I feel very bad for small businesses,” Austin Major from Coventry told ABC6. “Being a business major, I had a chance to learn about small businesses and the struggles they face and the management of how they work. So, for me I sympathize with them.”

Small retail shops that suffered through the pandemic encouraged shoppers for their support.

In Providence, the City offered free 2-hour parking in commercial districts to welcome shoppers to support the local economy.