Bridgewater Falls, Cincinnati Mall officials optimistic for Black Friday

E.L. Hubbard/Contributing photographer Shoppers come and go at Bridgewater Falls in Fairfield Twp. Thursday, November 19, 2009.

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By Michael D. Pitman, Staff Writer 11:22 AM Wednesday, November 25, 2009

This Black Friday will be a first for new mall owners in Fairfield and Fairfield Twp.

Cincinnati Mall was sold to North Star Realty just before January 2009, and Bridgewater Falls was sold to Phillips Edison in October. Representatives for the two malls said Black Friday will be a great shopping day despite a struggling economy.

“It gets better and better every year, I think, as Bridgewater Falls gets its name out there and people finds us in the community,” said Sue Walkenhorst, Bridgewater Falls spokeswoman.

Cincinnati Mall owner Mike Kohen said Black Friday always gets people motivated to shop.

“It’s going to be a great, great incentive,” he said.

Old Navy at Bridgewater Falls will be the first mall store in the area to open, inviting shoppers in at 3 a.m. Friday, Nov. 27.

“It gets earlier and earlier, when the stores open,” Walkenhorst said.

Other anchor stores will open early, such as JC Penney, Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Target. B-105 FM will broadcast from 6 a.m. to noon at Dick’s, and the U.S. Marine Corps will collect items for Toys for Tots.

At Cincinnati Mall, Kohl’s will be the first to open — 4 a.m. Friday — followed by Babies R Us and Burlington Coat Factory at 5 a.m., then Bass Pro Shop at 6 a.m.

Kohen said Black Friday can give the historically struggling mall momentum.

After Black Friday, Kohen said Fashion Bargain — a store with nothing that costs more than $6.99 — will be at the former Forever 21 location. He also plans to implement mall-wide incentives.

This time next year, the mall “is going to be in better shape than it is right now,” Kohen said.

Upcoming events

Bridgewater Falls Holiday Bailout: Runs from Black Friday to Dec. 23. Mall owner Phillips Edison is teaming up with Boy Scout Troop 984 to give the first 500 customers who spend $500 or more at the mall a free Christmas tree. The troop also will be selling Christmas trees.

Photos with Santa Claus at Cincinnati Mall: Through Christmas Eve. Pets can get photos with Santa on Sunday, Nov. 29, and Dec. 6.

Safe shopping

With holiday shopping, there’s more of a chance of holiday crime, according to Patrick Fiel, public safety adviser for ADT Security Services. Here are some tips for a safer shopping experience:

Park in a well-lit area close to your destination and security cameras.

Thieves often look for distracted people. Keep track of your packages and try to stay off your cell phone.

Women, hold your purse close to your body. Men, carry your wallet in a front pocket.

Take extra care when returning to your car.

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