Friday in Orland more gray than black

It was a mix of high-tech and low-tech on customers' wish lists in Orland on Friday, as they did their so-called "Black Friday" shopping after Thanksgiving.

Things were not quite as hectic there as they were at the Willows Walmart, but people did seek some bargains while others stores expect this weekend's Orland Craft Fair to bring customers downtown.

CVS Pharmacy had a steady group of customers coming in by mid-morning into 15-inch TVs, video games, GPS systems and MP3 players, according to photo supervisor Sara Richardson, who also handled other purchases.

Richardson said she was selling mostly holiday candy and beverages at her counter, but people sought little Christmas gift items as well.

This year, the store also opened on Thanksgiving Day for the first time, so it probably had a lot of shoppers then, she said.

Orland Ace Hardware also had some items on sale for Friday, but owner Ben Pforsich said he is not into the Black Friday thing as much as some retailers.

The store did sell shop vacuums, utility lights and some children's toys, he said, but most of the clients were buying regular hardware items.

He plans to be back in the re-built Orland Hardware Store on Fifth Street by Jan. 2, Pforsich said.

Today's Orland Craft Fair is expected to bring a lot of visiting customers to Garnet Hill and Shakey Shingle Antiques both on Fourth Street, their owners said.

Sandi Briggs of Shakey Shingle said it will be wall-to-wall with customers this weekend in search of Christmas ornaments and holiday craft items.

Terry and Brad Allen of Sutter stopped by Friday to see what was available in Orland.

"I buy anything old," Terry Allen said. "It's our way of buying things."

And Rick Reynolds of Willows brought his wife by Shakey Shingle to see what it had. He is into old carpenter tools and duck decoys, he said.

Lynn Fortner of Garnet Hill said craft-oriented people like her hand-made decorations from Pennsylvania and Virginia and stop by during the fair at the Orland Fairgrounds.

Electronics were the big draws at the Walmart Store in Willows this week as buyers came to enjoy so called "Black Friday" bargains.

Megan Alston of Kirkwood went for the televisions this year, she said, with the family purchasing 50-inch and 46-inch plasma models.

"Those were the big thing," Alston said. "The rest is basically clothes."

Still, Alston said she and her husband bought the TVs for under $1,500 which is a good deal in their opinion.

However, not everyone rushed in early for the 5 a.m. sales at the box store.

"I decided not to rough it. I came at 8:30 a.m., and they still have a lot of products," Princeton resident June Lopes said.

But Lopes is not sure about Walmart's 15-day return policy on televisions before Christmas, she said.

Things also were spread out in the store, she said. "You had to run here and there and then forget what you were looking for."

Carol Martin of Willows said there was nothing at the store she wanted in a parking lot interview with Tri-County Newspapers.

"I am spoiled and don't need anything," Martin said. "I try to do activities where I can hang out with the family instead."

Her children are grown and working, she added, so they can buy things they want for themselves.

Finally, Tim and Denise Asbury of Willows said they got to Walmart at 10 a.m.

The couple bought a Blue Ray player for around $78, they said, which was a bargain deal. They also found it easy to get in and out of the store with not too many crowds.

And Katie Conley said she went to the store early in the morning and had "a great time" while she purchased a black turtleneck top for $5 before the Black Friday event.

Downtown customers trickled in and out of the shops there.

Pam James of 76 Joy Street said people flow into the upscale gift store throughout the holiday season, and there is no one date that brings big crowds.

However, the store has a 50 percent off table that is popular with customers and will be offering specials on wine glasses and other merchandise in December, she said.

At a Gathering of Better Junque, owners Holly Meyers and Delores Amaro were busy checking out customers who had come for some unique gifts.

"I'm into staying local and shopping local," said Willows resident Robbie Gillam. "I like simply gifts and buy hand-crafted things for my family."

Gillam said she enjoys old-fashioned candles and signs with slogans like "Simplify" to give as presents.

Contact Rick Longley at 934-6800 or rlongley@tcnpress.com.