SARASOTA – Its Black Friday and shopper are rushing to the stores to score some great holiday deals, and with more than 150 stores at the Mall at University Town Center shoppers have plenty of options.
“It’s been a tremendous turnout from the community, there’s been a tone of guest,” said Lauren Clark, Marketing Director for the Mall at UTC .
Hundreds of Black Friday shoppers got an early start on their holiday shopping at the Mall at UTC Thursday night, as the mall opened their doors to eager customers as early as 6 p.m. Clark says with about three weeks left until Christmas shoppers are looking to check off their list those must want items.
“This year Thanksgiving was so late in the season, you only have about three and half weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so I think that people know now they only have a few weeks left to get those items for people on their list,” said Clark.
Ashley McEnroe is visiting family on the Suncoast for Thanksgiving. She says after enjoying a holiday feast she and her friend decided to come down to the Mall at UTC for one item in particular.
“Well I came for a new phone but Apple was closed tonight so I decided to go to Victoria Secret,” she said. But McEnroe won’t be easily defeated she plans on returning to the Apple store and hopefully walk out with the new IPhone 11. She did however manage to score a great deal with Victoria’s Secret buy one get one free sale.
And Victoria’s Secret is not the only place you’ll find deals like that. Bath & Body Works is offering buy three items get three free. Clark says these are the types of sales that are reeling in shoppers to the mall.
“I think that the stores are looking to really have some tremendous offers and sales inside to get you to come into the store and shop,” said Clark. “You’re going to find great offers in the brick and mortars community, so check out the in store offers before you decide to check online.”
The shopping doesn’t stop here. The Mall at UTC will have extended hours all weekend long in case you missed out on those Black Friday Deals.
The mall is open from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Black Friday so shoppers will have plenty of time to score some more holiday deals. To find out what deals some stores at UTC are offering click here. For the malls extend weekend hours click here.
