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Take cover—it's Black Friday

The busiest shopping day of the year is almost upon us

By Caroline Ryder, Special to Metromix

November 8, 2007

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(Credit: Ken Hively)

Picture turkey-stuffed bargain-hunters lining up outside Old Navy at 5 a.m., their skin flushed in anticipation of the rabid consumerism in which they're about to engage. Yes, friends, it's Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving, the day I call Black Friday.

The day when otherwise sane human beings turn into vicious retail predators. They will maim you if you get in their way.

You can almost understand why, because Black Friday can mean savings of up to 70 percent on goods from department and chain stores like Sears, Macy's, Target and Circuit City. Malls such as the Beverly Center, the Citadel, the Grove and Third Street Promenade will no doubt be zoos.

But what if you're allergic to crowds?

Don't worry, you can totally work Black Friday from the comfort of your own DSL connection.

If you shop online during the pre-dawn hours of Black Friday, you'll get to take advantage of many retailers' just-posted Black Friday specials before the masses see them. You might even find special web-only deals as early as Thanksgiving eve.

There are also some small, independent boutiques that are holding Black Friday sales this year, like Scout and Betsey Johnson.

Happy shopping. Or hiding. Whichever you prefer.

Scout

1646 N. Cherokee Dr. - Los Angeles

If you have to choose just one spot to shop in Hollywood, try Scout. Proprietors Joey Grana and Greg Armas can do no wrong in our eyes, hand-picking consistently gorgeous items by contemporary, independent designersSociety For Rational Dress, Mike Chris and Corpus Denim, for starters. Look out for anything in their signature bee-print patternit'll sell out fast! Scout is moving to Hollywood in March 2009. The W. 3rd St. location closed January 25, 2009.

Betsey Johnson Boutique

8050 Melrose Ave. - Los Angeles

323-852-1534

If she hadn't been around so darn long, you might be forgiven for thinking Betsey Johnson and her sometimes garish (but always show-stopping) designs were just...you know...a fad. But you're wrong. She's been around forever, and she ain't going away. No fads here.

Hollywood & Highland

6801 Hollywood Blvd. - Los Angeles

323-960-2331

Manic consumerism out of control? We've got all that and so much more at this veritable temple of all that can be bought for cold, hard cash. Restaurants, clubs, barsyou could basically just lock me in this place and I'd be happy forever. It's connected to a swanky hotel. Jimmy Kimmel tapes his show across the street. Savvy parkers use their expansive lot and then hoof it the half-mile up Highland to the Hollywood Bowl. This place is a bona fide hub. Learn it. Know it. Live it. And of course, shop it.

The Beverly Center

8500 Beverly Blvd. - Los Angeles

310-854-0071

One of the best things about the Beverly Center is the HM, up on the top floor and right across from the Forever 21. Budget fashion heaven!We also love the M.A.C. cosmetics, Body Shop, Aveda, Bed Bath and Beyond, Bloomingdales, Calvin Klein, Diesel, Just Cavalli, Sephora, Sony Style store and Victoria's Secret outlets. If you can avoid weekends, do. There's a cinema on the top floor, in case you need to sit down for a second. try not to lose your parking ticket. Or your car, for that matter.

Citadel Outlets

100 Citadel Drive - Los Angeles

Don't let the Assyrian palace design fool you--the labyrinthine Citadel is no joke. Literally a shopping city by the freeway, one where all the prices are marked down, you'd be best to enter the Citadel only after a little planning and preparation on their website. It's less upmarket than the Beverly Center, but worth a visit thanks to the savings of up to 70% at times. Visit Banad Republic, the Billabong Outlet, Calvin Klein, Converse, Da-Nang, Hurlye International, the Levis' outlet, Nine West, Puma, Quiksilver and Vans. And pray you can find your way out.

Third Street Promenade

1351 3rd Street Promenade - Santa Monica

310-393-8355

An outdoors shopping area by the beach, pedestrianized but still not without its stressful crowds. You'll find more than 200 stores selling everything from books to electronics to clothing, to jewelry to shoes. Brands include Abercrombie Fitch, Adidas, Banana Republic, The Gap, J. Crew, Zara, Pottery Barn, Restoration Hardware and Z Gallerie. There are also some vintage and independent clothing stores to be found. And a fair number of street performers, from clowns to jugglers to a tiny Elvis.