Shoppers Jam Smyrna Target for Thanksgiving/Black Friday Sales

Kim Prasanerak

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

SMYRNA, Tenn.-- Hundreds of customers rushed through the doors of the Target store at 803 Industrial Blvd. in Smyrna on Nov. 22 to take advantage of discount sales on Thanksgiving and Black Friday.

Every year, Target is a hot spot for many Black Friday shoppers. Sales started at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving. The store featured sales on many items, including electronics, clothing and food. Team members worked hard to run a safe and fun evening that occurred until 1 a.m.

The Black Friday/Thanksgiving environment was very much different than a regular day at Target. Shoppers were on a mission to buy gifts for friends and family, and it got feisty. The crowds were wild, carts jammed the narrow aisles, and others walked in single file across the store. Miscellaneous items such as gift sets and stocking stuffers were on sale for as much as 50 percent off. Most of the shelves were swept empty by the middle of the night, especially in the toy section. TV sets were the most popular items.

People's moods were greatly affected by the rush of Black Friday shopping. Shoppers were stressed, tired and determined to buy popular items. When someone saw an item he or she wanted that was up to 75 percent off, they would grab it before someone else could. Because people were crammed together, pushing and shoving was a common part of the Black Friday experience.

Black Friday itself is not really that big of a deal. Most people know that they can order the same things online and save the same amount of money. These shoppers wanted to experience the adrenaline of the event firsthand.

A lot of people hyped up shopping around these times, and they wanted to see what all the fuss was about at Target. For some, it was a group activity for friends and family.

 Maxie Khetsisouvanh, a team member who was working Thanksgiving night, talked about her experience working on the other side as a sales clerk. She said it can be just as taxing for retail workers during the holidays as the customers who are shopping for gifts. Employees must ring up nonstop, serving endless lines of people for hours, answering people's questions left and right, and basically being five people at once. She said that this was her third Black Friday at Target.

“The crowds here are absolutely insane,” said Khetsisouvanh. “I’ve seen people almost get in physical fights, people running into the store, and mass shoving.”

Store manager Tim Larkin said workers prepared hard for Black Friday. Team members set up and arranged all the items that were on sale. They knew it was going to be a busy night in the store, so they were ready to go. Gates were set up outside of the store so shoppers could enter in an orderly fashion. Larkin said it was also essential to have security guards around the store to watch for fights and potential theft.

“Target has every single check lane open for two days of the year, Black Friday and Christmas Eve,” said Larkin. “Team members are stocking all the shelves, so they are ready to roll at 5 p.m.”

For more information about Target or to access its weekly sales, visit www.target.com.

'Perfect Little Holiday Market' Draws Crowd for Holiday Shopping

By Connor Jacks

Motlow Buzz Contributing Writer

     NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Hundreds of people showed up for The Perfect Little Store’s third annual holiday market on 100 Taylor St. in downtown Nashville on Nov. 24. 

     The event was appropriately named “The Perfect Little Holiday Market” and was first put on in 2015 to support local businesses, as well as provide a great place for Middle Tennesseans to celebrate the holidays. It was open from 12 to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. It featured a bubbly tea bar, photo booth, food trucks, wreath station, and free hot cocoa. There was plenty to see and do for those in the Christmas spirit.

     “The whole thing was much more than we could have ever expected and continues to grow each year,” said Event Coordinator and Perfect Little Store owner Abbey Little. “We try to change things up a little every year, to keep it fresh, but I think the venders and people who come really just like the tradition of it.”

     Little started the yearly holiday market to help promote small businesses that may not be heard or seen by a lot of people.

     “I just wanted to help give a platform for people who deserve it,” she said. “I remember first starting out with nothing, and it’s not always the easiest. Now we’ve created a bit of a community where we can make new friends, and also help each other out.” 

     Little and her husband have lived in Nashville for 10 years now and opened her shop five years ago. Little’s goal is to make everyone feel like they’re entering a happy place when they visit her store, that’s open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. She also runs a blog, a YouTube channel, and is in a band with her husband called The Perfect Little Couple. The rest of the couple’s events and adventures can be seen on their website at www.ThePerfectLittleStore.com.

     As for the market itself, it was a winter wonderland of authentic homemade goods and holiday festivities galore, complete with complementary hot cocoa. Vendors were selling everything from hand-sewn clothing to freshly carved stools and rocking chairs.

     Patricia Jenkins, one of the market’s long time vendors, has been coming and setting up shop since the first day it was open. Displayed very neatly across Jenkins’ booth was an assortment of fine hand-crafted jewelry, in a variety of all shapes and colors.

     Another market veteran, Sam Stephens of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, sells his very own automatic bird feeders. The money raised from Stephens’ feeders goes towards a charity of the customer’s choice.

     There was truly a wide variety of things to see and buy for those looking to spend a little money or just trying to get a few ideas for the holidays. There were also plenty of things to keep the kids busy as well, with a giant bouncy house and ice cream truck in the middle of the venue. There wasn’t a bored kid in sight.

     With the popularity of this perfect little holiday market growing, it’s looking like it will double in size just by next year. With more and more vendors making an appearance, and more people bringing their family and friends, it sure to become a beloved Nashville tradition for years to come.