As far as Black Friday sales go, waiting in line, shoving through crowds, and fearing getting trampled by fellow shoppers just isn’t quite my cup of tea. The day after gorging myself on turkey, sweet potatoes and green bean casserole, I really just want to delve into that Tryptophan-induced coma, sleep in and maybe munch on a left-over, turkey-croissant sandwich.
When I found out about CityScape’s Alternative Black Friday last year, I was a little skeptic. The shopping center still boasted Black Friday sales for its few retail vendors (Urban Outfitter, Lawless Denim, Charming Charlie, etc.), so I was a bit worried about running into some intense pre-holiday shoppers. To my delight, what I found was the exact opposite.
Like the name promises, CityScape’s Vintage Market truly creates an “alternative” Black Friday experience. Full of local artistry, antiques and cool vintage clothes, the outdoor courtyard of CityScape (just in front of the CVS and Starbucks) transforms into a Phoenician flea market of sorts. A First Friday shopping experience with more selection and better prices, the Vintage Market is innovative and a lot of fun. Plus, from 10 am to 3pm, they have live, local musicians come and entertain. For those so inclined, Chole’s Corner is also offering a Mimosa Bar - a fun way to wash away the dense feast of yesterday.
One of my favorite parts of the market is the opening of the make-shift iceskating rink that City of Phoenix employees have been constructing for the past few weeks. Closing off an entire section of road on 2nd St., the rink is actually pretty large. To curb towards the infamous Black Friday appeal, rented skates are half-price on November 29.
From local arts and crafts, to cool, mid-century furniture and jewelry, CityScape’s Vintage Market is an excellent alternative to waiting in line at Walmart or Best Buy to try to get one of a hundred or so flat-screen TVs. Take a break this year, relax and enjoy a post-feast, calm shopping experience, right here in Downtown Phoenix.
Contact me at adersch@asu.edu or @AlexDersch with questions, suggestions or comments. The more communication I get from you the better Eye Candy will be. Thank you!
