Business & Tech

Thanksgiving Day Shopping? No, Say Local Facebook Users

Retailers believe the idea is sound, but the response to Patch's Facebook inquiry was resoundingly negative: Family time on holiday is more important.

With stores like Target and Toys R Us announcing this week that they, too, will join the growing ranks of retailers who in recent years have decided to open on Thanksgiving Day, it would seem the idea is assured of being sound.


Not on your life, say Facebook followers of St. Charles Patch and Wheaton Patch. Most vowed publicly this week to stay at home on the holiday and not surrender to the shift to a “Black Thursday.”

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“I can't imagine what would be available on Thursday that won't be available on Friday. Or Saturday,” former St. Charles Mayor Sue Ladurini Klinkhamer posted.

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Eleven St. Charles Facebook followers took the time to respond to St. Charles Patch’s question, “Do you plan to go shopping on Thanksgiving Day?”


“No, no, NO!!!” posted Kelly Kramer.


“How many years until black Wednesday?” asked Collin Smudde.


“No. People should be with family. Or friends,” wrote Julie Higgins Keegan.


Posted Tracy Paddy: “Nope. This is a family day and it is wrong.”


Added Casey Garza Murdough Cfd: “Nope. Hoping droves boycott said retailers on turkey day, like I will.”


None of St. Charles Patch’s Facebook followers posted in support of shopping on Thanksgiving Day.


Further east, Wheaton Patch’s Facebook followers responded similarly, but with four times the number: 44 comments were posted in response to: “With so many stores deciding to open on the holiday, will you start your Christmas shopping on Thanksgiving Day?”


A sampling of the responses to Wheaton Patch:


Alisha Ali: “No. Thanksgiving is for spending time with family.”


“No way! Selfish business owners should think of families and not $$&,” wrote Kim Bagneschi Brown.


“If enough people stay home w/ their families and NOT shop businesses will stop as it wouldn't be profitable. Sadly, there probably will be tons of shoppers,” posted Kyu Kim.


Wrote Aziza Dawson: “NO!!!!! Using that time with family and friends! There is PLENTY of time to go shopping. Everyone knows the best sales are after Christmas!!!”


“Absolutely not. - it is totally unnecessary and borders on obscene. Retailers need to stop. Period,” added Larry Burns.


Posted Dana Loverde Calcagno, “I love to Black Friday shop!!! On Friday!!!! There getting to greedy, they can't wait, it's sad! It's black FRIDAY!!! Thursday is THANKSGIVING”


Glenna Czachor: “I think it is a travesty that stores will be open on Thanksgiving. Employees should have a day to spend with family...and people can learn to be patient one day and shop on Friday! I think this is a greedy ploy by store owners!”


There were two deviations from the common consensus.


“We're open on Thanksgiving... Come and see us!” reads the post by Starbucks in Town Square Wheaton.


And some direction from Judy Niekelski: “Add Pinwheels toys that opened in Rice Lake Square to your list of newly opened stores.”


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