Black Friday in Boston


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Walking shoes? Check. Emergency trail mix? Yep. Water bottle? Grab another — it’s important to stay hydrated and pumped on Black Friday, if you’re going to have any chance of keeping up with the stampede of early Christmas shoppers. Fortunately for you, late planners, we’ve rounded up a host of different shops around Boston that are ready to offer deep discounts and brilliant gifts for everyone on your list – from your hipster friend to the holiday extremist in your family. – Becca Fox and Meara Hamidiani

 

Magic Beans: For Babies and New Parents
As the holiday season sneaks up on us, it’s about that time to start shopping for toys, car seats, diaper bags, strollers, cribs, and anything toddler or baby-related because – let’s face it – it’s all about them. With locations in in Brookline, Hingham, Cambridge, and Wellesley, Magic Beans children’s store is offering a 20 percent discount on purchases of up to $200 made through AisleBuyer on Black Friday weekend, and is extending a 10 percent discount until December 24. So take advantage of the sale next weekend, or check out the website and peruse the baby gear top 10 list – Itzy Ritzy “Wet Happened?” zippered wet bag, anyone?

312 Harvard Ave., Brookline and other locations. Visit mbeans.com for more info.

Salmagundi: For Your Hipster Friend
If you’re on the hunt for hats, choose from a selection of more than 8,000 at Salmagundi in Jamaica Plain. While the store offers the largest and most eclectic selection of customizable hats in New England, it also prides itself on offering an array of jewelry, scarves, gloves, bow-ties, coats, dresses, belts, wallets, and – for that extra kick of holiday cheer – flasks. Salmagundi already claims to have competitive prices and doesn’t usually have sales, but throughout Black Friday weekend, everything in the store will be 10 percent off.

765 Centre St., Jamaica Plain. Visit salmagundiboston.com for more info.

Second Time Around: For the Clothes-Lover (Possibly You)
Hark! We’ve found another excuse for you to put a Newbury Street dent in your wallet. From 7-9 a.m. on Black Friday, pop into any Second Time location for 50 percent off everything in the store, and enjoy at least 30 percent everything from Black Friday through Sun., November 27. Find the latest trends by some of the most renowned designers without wiping out your bank account. Double win!

176 Newbury St., Boston and other locations; Visit secondtimearound.net for more info.

Blues Jean Bar: Your Boyfriend Whose Beloved Jeans Are Finally Falling Apart
Feeling denim crazed? The Blues Jean Bar, located on Newbury Street, features more than 40 different designer jean lines for men and women, as well as other apparel, shoes, and accessories. In store, you can “order up” a particular brand, size, wash, and style at the central bar made from old growth wood and surrounded by wooden barstools. What’s more, on Black Friday, the Blues Jean Bar will be offering 20 percent off everything.

85 Newbury St., Boston; Visit thebluesjeanbar.com for more info.

Zinnia Jewelry: For Your Mom
Zinnia, a family owned jewelry store located in Cambridge and Burlington, Vt., boasts a fine, hand-picked variety of jewelry from sterling silver rings to colorful Bohemian-type beaded necklaces. Whether you are looking to snag a bunch of low-priced stocking stuffers or treat your loved ones (or yourself) to high-end designer accessories, Zinnia could have just what you are looking for. During Black Friday weekend, the store is offering half off selected fashion and sterling silver items.

1300 Mass. Ave., Cambridge. Visit ilovezinnia.com for more info.

Holiday Boutique: For Anyone who likes Ruffles
Since its 2002 opening by proprietress Jessika Goranson, Holiday Boutique has offered “all things pretty” – women’s apparel and accessories by various designers, including Alicia Bell, Eryn Brinie, Geren Ford, Mimi & Coco, Lauren Moffatt, and so many more. Holiday’s signature collection features handmade skirts, dresses, and tops of all different materials and colors. From now through the end of fall, the boutique is having a 50 percent off fall merchandise sale. Are you ready, ladies?

53 Charles St., Boston. Visit holidayboutique.net for more info.

Moxie: For Shoe-aholics
For footwear on a dime, check out Moxie on Charles St. They’re coining their Black Friday sales as “Flat Friday”, offering 20 percent off all flats in the store. It doesn’t stop there — all Tori Burch flats are 10 percent off (and you know they never go on sale!), so show those feet some love.

51 Charles St., Boston. Visit moxieboston.com for more info.

Photo by Jared Leeds, originally published in our August 2011 Best of Boston issue.

Forty Winks: For Yourself or Your Girlfriend
For those looking to sidestep Black Friday entirely, try ‘Small Business Saturday‘ — a retail holiday held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, kickstarted by American Express and trying to make inroads into Boston. Boston’s top lingerie store Forty Winks won’t be doing anything special for Friday, but they will be offering customers 10 percent off their entire purchase on between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m on Saturday. It’s a good way to get a slightly higher chance at parking and fantastic holiday sleepwear and unmentionables for the cold nights ahead.

56 JFK St., Cambridge. Visit shopfortywinks.com for more info.

Blackstone’s of Beacon Hill: For the Christmas Extremist
Go for seasonal décor, raffles every hour, and a chance for guests to pay a $5 fundraising token for a chance to win a $600 bag from by Mad Bay Designs. Friday also offers up a book signing for The Last Shepard & Tales of the Tenth Ornament, written by co-owner Marc Duffield and illustrated by his sister (both to be in the store). The signing continues on Saturday, but American Express cardholders can also enjoy 10 percent off all purchases. Kitchenwares by Blackstone’s on Newbury St. will share the 10 percent discount.

46 Charles St., Boston. Visit blackstonesbeaconhill.com for more info.