Area retailers ready for crowd of shoppers

Both Culpeper’s hometown and big box stores are ready for Friday’s customary crush of crowds on what’s traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Here’s a sampling of store hours and what Culpeper shoppers can expect during the day-long retail blitz:

* JC Penney and Kohl’s will kick off the area’s shopping deals by opening at 4 a.m. JC Penny will at 9 p.m. and Kohl’s at midnight.
* At Belk, store manager Melissa Nuckles said the first 250 shoppers in the store will receive gift cards from $5 up to a $5,000 gift card that was among those distributed to Belk stores across the country. Belk will be open from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m.
* At Culpeper’s Sears store, a front-loading washer and dryer combo will be on sale for $599. The store will be open from 5 a.m. until 7 p.m.
* Target: 6 a.m. until 11 p.m.
* Gamestop: 7 a.m. until 9 p.m.
* Becker’s: 9 a.m. until 7 p.m.
* Tractor Supply: 6 a.m. until 9 p.m.
* Lowes: 6 a.m. until 9 p.m.
* Downtown, the Frenchman’s Corner will open at 11 a.m. Deals available Friday include a 10 percent discount for anyone with a 22701 zip code, along with other items that will be offered for 50 percent off.
* Pepperberries: 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
* Finally, Culpeper’s Wal-Mart Supercenter will maintain its 24-hour schedule; however, the store’s Friday sales will not begin until 5 a.m.