Local Businesses Bring Black Friday Deals to Eastern Iowans

By Addison Speck, Reporter

Shelly Forbes of Riverside, far left, and her children Tanner, age 6, and Taylor, age 5, shop with Forbes' sister, Jenny Grechian, also of Riverside, at Kmart in Iowa City, 901 Hollywood Boulevard, on the morning of Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25, 2010. The shoppers said going to Kmart on Thanksgiving has become an annual tradition to beat some of the holiday shopping crowds. KMart opened at 6 a.m. Thanksgiving Day and like many stores, will open at 5 a.m. on "Black Friday," Friday, November 26, 2010. (Matt Nelson/SourceMedia Group News)

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By Liz Blood

Story Created: Nov 17, 2012 at 10:38 PM CDT

Story Updated: Nov 18, 2012 at 2:48 AM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Next week, mall stores and other major retailers will be filled with thousands of Eastern Iowans trying to score a deal. But many local retailers are also aiming for a thick slice of the sliding credit cards.

Photo Pro in Cedar Rapids is surrounded by several big box retailers who also sell some of the items they do. The local business already provides at least one free camera class to anyone who purchases one.

On Black Friday they say they will try to offer what the big stores often do not. "We are offering some giveaways, we are also do something fun this year for people who spend $250 or more. We will have a free drawing for an iPad," said Dave Johnson, Owner of Photo Pro.

Johnson said they are also offering bigger rebates than ever and they have two new kiosk machines for ordering and printing pictures and cards. The store will open up a little bit early at 8 a.m. on Black Friday.

Off Boyson Road, Splurge Boutique is also giving shoppers a reason to stop in. "Our special is going to be on jewelry and that's going to include necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. We are going to offer a buy one get one 50 percent off for equal or less value," said Katy Curtis, an employee at the shop. There is no quantity count on that deal.

Whether you buy jewelry, clothes or a purse, the store wraps every purchase. "We want to give back because people have been so generous here and we find that Christmas time is the perfect time to do that," added Curtis. The boutique will be open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Black Friday.

Both businesses are trying to aim for that area that a price cannot be put on, which is giving customers the attention and service they deserve. "We rarely during the holiday season have a camera returned and that's a hats off to our staff because we get the right fit," said Johnson.

"That's kind of what we focus on is that one-on-one helping, that you don't get at big stores or retail stores," said Curtis.

For more information on Photo Pro you can visit their website here.

For more information on Splurge Boutique you can visit their website here.

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