Dear shoppers,

It's been a tough year for us all. We've had to budget more, eat less and maybe even skip our vacations (well, I've had to, at least).

But now it's the holiday season. And news broke this morning that the number of initial filers for unemployment insurance hit its lowest since Sept. 13, 2008. Finally, some good news!

How about continuing the good cheer by going SHOPPING? Nothing stimulates the economy better than spending, and if we want our favorite locally owned stores to stick around, we've got to do some spending IN them.

We've compiled a list of Black Friday sales going down around town, many of which extend through the weekend. Readers, do your part, and stimulate the economy by contributing locally. It's the circle of life, you know?

click to enlarge

• Asana Activewear

Buy 2 items get the 3rd item at 50 percent off.

3920 Sharon Road

704-366-8020

www.asanaactivewear.com

• Beadlush

Get 20 percent off loose glass and stone beads, books, tools and finished jewelry.

1217 The Plaza

704-376-3331

www.beadlush.com

• BeauxHomes

Buy two and get one free Christmas ornament we import from France, 50 percent off all lamps, and 25 percent off Quick Ship draperies (custom drapery hanging by Christmas) The sale starts today and extends through the weekend.

7800 Rea Rd # B

704-752-1733

www.beauxhome.com

• Belle Ville

Buy one, get one 1/2 off at all three locations.

Birkdale Village (between Banana Republic and Starbucks)

16836 Birkdale Commons Parkway

704-655-9506

Epicentre (behind CVS)

210 East Trade St.

704-971-7413

Promenade (next to Steinmart)

5341 Ballantyne Commons Parkway

704-847-5352

www.lovemybelleville.com

• Black & Blue

Head out to Black & Blue for muffins and mimosas. Also enjoy 25 percent off regular priced (excluding denim) items plus save an additional 10 percent off sale items.

532 Governor Morrison St, C130

704-366-9339

www.shopblackandblue.com

• Black Sheep Skate Shop

Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. Lots of great shoes have moved over to the Shoe Sale Wall (2 pairs for $69) and the famous $10 Bargain Box will be loaded up with assorted tee shirts and other goodies.

1504 Camden Rd

704-333-1423

www.blacksheepnc.com

• chezElle

Chezelle is doing 20 percent off all holiday dresses through the weekend and all fall merchandise is 50 percent off. Buy one or more sale items and receive 20 percent off any regular priced item.

532 Governor Morrison St

704-365-4680

• Colony Furniture

Take 30 percent off upholstery, in stock and special order.

811 Providence Road

704-333-8871

www.shopcolonyfurniture.com

• Coplon's

Save up to 40 percent throughout the store.

6800 Phillips Place Court

704-643-1113

www.coplons.com

• Cottage Chic

Their nod to the day is "Pink Friday"- you can take 30 percent off any one item in the store. (Exclusions apply to jewelry and artwork).

Cottage Chic

1232 East Blvd

704-375-1888

www.cottagechicstore.com

• Denim Affair

All shoppers will receive a surprise discount at the register (between 10 percent and 50 percent off the total purchase, excluding gift cards and sale items).

9848 Rea Rd

704-341-4791

www.denimaffaironline.com

• FiFi's Fine Resale

Doors open at 8am Friday. Up to 75 percent off and everything is on sale Including FiFi's Gift Cards at 10 percent off. This sale ends Sunday at 5 p.m.

8301-7 Magnolia Estates Drive, Cornelius

704-892-7070

www.fifislkn.com

• Fresh

The entire store is 30 percent off Friday and Saturday.

813 Providence Road

704-343-9071

• L.A. East

Take 25 percent off everything till noon and 20 percent off everything the rest of the day.

9852 Rea Road # D1

704-341-5962

1135 Stonecrest Blvd. # 115. Tega Cay, SC

803-746-7792

www.laeast.net

• Lotus/Civilian

They'll be giving out Holiday Coupons with every purchase of $50 or more. The coupon will offer a surprise discount of 10 percent off to $50 off your NEXT shopping visit.

6908-C Phillips Place Ct.

(704) 554-1908

1247 East Blvd.

(704) 332-2047

• Manifest Discs

Buy 2, get 1 free on all used CDs, DVDs, vinyl and video games. Plus, a free T-shirt for the first 25 customers who purchase a minimum of $20.

6239 South Blvd.

704-552-8448

www.manifestdisc.com

• Our Place:

All fall clothing is 40 percent off through Saturday.

6700 Fairview Rd # 104

704-554-7748

www.our-place.us

• Peek-A-Boo Couture

The children's clothing store is opening at 9 a.m., and between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m., everyone receives 50 percent off their entire purchase. After 10 a.m. it is 25 percent off their entire purchase (No exclusions)

1315 East Blvd., Suite 150

704-332-5338

www.mypeekaboocouture.com

• Petal

Black Friday: First 20 customers receive a $20 Gift Card on purchases of $100 or more. Also all jewelry is 20 percent off.

Saturday: First 20 customers receive a $10 gift card on purchases of $50 or more. Also all dresses are 20 percent off.

Sunday, all denim is 20 percent off.

1315 East Blvd., Suite 180

704-817-8871

www.shoppetal.com

• Pura Vida Worldly Art

For anyone who brings in a gently used winterwear item, they'll get 10 percent off anything in the store excluding paintings. Pura Vida will donate the items they bring in to a local shelter.

Also, the early Black Friday that started last weekend continues:

- Buy 2 dresses, get 1 FREE

- Buy 2 skirts, get 1 FREE

- Buy 2 blouses/tunics, get 1 FREE

- Buy 2 scarves/shawls, get 1 FREE

- Buy 2 necklaces, get 1 FREE

- Buy 2 bracelets, get 1 FREE

- Buy 2 pairs of earrings, get 1 pair FREE

- Buy 2 pendants, get 1 FREE

- Buy 2 pairs of shoes, get 1 pair FREE

1521 Central Ave

704-335-8587

www.puravidaart.com

• Pure Boutique

Take up 20 percent to 40 percent off select items.

4400 Sharon Road # 239

704-366-7873

www.pureretailgroup.com

• Scout and Molly's

From 10 a.m.-11 a.m., everything is 40 percent off, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 30 percent off. 1 p.m.-6 p.m., 20 percent off. They're also offering 15 percent off from now until Christmas if you bring a new and unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots.

3920 Sharon Road, Suite B150

704-817-7009

www.scoutandmollysofcharlotte.com

• Seventy-Two Shoe Boutique

From 9 a.m.-1 p.m., get 35 percent off shoes, handbags and other accesories (excludes clearance items and jewelry). After that, the Happy After Thanksgiving Sale takes place, in which you can take 20 percent off your total purchase, including sale items, through Dec. 6.

9856-G Rea Road

704-542-0472

www.72shoeboutique.com

• The Pink Hanger

Bring in a gently used item and get 20 percent off the purchase of a new item.

2935 Providence Road # 103

704-366-7272

www.pinkhangeronline.com

• Trendy Styles by Stacy

Everything item in the store will be 30 percent off, with the sales rack 60 percent off.

Register for a $200.00 gift card, and a free gift will be given with every $100 spent.

12905 Rosedale Hill Ave., Huntersville

704-948-2303

www.trendystylesbystacy.com

• Velocity Style

Starting at 10:30 a.m. all sneakers will be 20 percent off of their regular prices. Also, all G-Shock and Nooka watches will be $99 and all New Era 5950 hats are $25.

8925 JM Keynes, Suite 3

704-549-8853

www.velocitystyle.com