Eateries, stores on hand for Black Friday

Friday, November 25, 2011

Maybe it was the October blizzard, but it seems that holiday advertising and shopping started a lot earlier this year than in the past. And even though sales started before the standard day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday is still holding its own as a big holiday shopping day for large malls and big-box stores.

However, a sampling of local small businesses shows that there are places to shop that aren’t crazy busy. Here is a sampling of local Bedford shops and what they are expecting for the holidays this year.

The Purple Finch Cafe at 124 S. River Road is opening at 6 a.m. to feed those who already have been shopping for a few hours and those who need the energy to start. The cafe is expecting a high volume on Friday, since it is typically a busy day for many restaurants.

“We are big supporters of keeping it local. The purple finch is the state bird, after all,” said co-owner Julie Marshall. Local vendors include Fantini’s Bakery for fresh baked bread, New England Coffee, waffles from Doodle’s Waffles and maple syrup from Fuller’s Sugarhouse.

Along with offering local food at the shop, the Purple Finch also caters. Their healthy and fresh food options include deli wraps, fresh fruit skewers, yogurt dip and giant garden salads. They also just introduced a gluten free menu.

Cafe staff will be on the second floor of Macy’s for a couple of event days this season, including Black Friday. Purple Finch wraps, salads, coffee and gift cards will be available for purchase.

Stone River Outfitters at 132 Bedford Center Road carries all the major brands of fly-fishing and fly-tying needs. This family-owned, full-service store is open Black Friday, and although the number of customers increases, it isn’t as crazy as the crowds at local malls. The shop finds that its busiest holiday time is two weeks before Christmas.

Experienced staff members are on hand to help you select fly-tying materials, test a new fly rod, sample a new reel, test a pair of waders or answer any questions you may have.

Stella’s Fine Chocolates, located in the Village Shoppes of Bedford, 176 Route 101, will be open Black Friday and doesn’t generally see an extreme increase in business for this holiday. Candy store sales will jump up a bit around Thanksgiving and then not again until just before Christmas.

Extra Touch Gourmet Cafe & Catering at 4 Hawthorne Drive is a specialty food shop located inside a medical facility. The shop actually sees less traffic on Black Friday than other days, and owner Debbi McLain has shortened the shop’s hours this weekend. The Friday hours will be 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

The shop features specialty foods and gift baskets, which are more conducive to last-minute gift ideas than holiday shopping and discounts. McLain and her staff members are able to relax over the Thanksgiving weekend, but that’s not the case as Christmas approaches. Last-minute shoppers come in through Christmas Eve.

So if you are shopping this weekend and want to get off the beaten path and get away from the crowds, you can find healthy homemade soups made from scratch, as well as nutritious lunch and dinner entrees and desserts.

Shopping and buying at a small business on Black Friday is a way to support the local economy, stay out of long lines, avoid traffic and crowds, and perhaps lower your holiday stress levels.