Shopping

As you read this, I likely will be out there among the people. I've run out of excuses, so I'm jumping into the Black Friday fray today. Maybe because I haven't done the Black Friday shopping thing in six or seven years, I'm saying to my wife, “Let's go out there and have some fun.” Huh? Yeah, what could be more fun than being on your feet for hours, waiting in line with people - some of whom are smelly and a little scary - that you don't know? Pushing and shoving - and even running - for the hot toy that is only three bucks less than it will be on Tuesday, when no one is in the store.

One’s wedding day is often regarded as the biggest — and often most difficult — day to plan. Packed inside Laird Hall at Wilson College for the J&B Bridals Show on Sunday, about 500 people were treated to some of the latest fashion trends in gowns, but also got to talk with 35 professional vendors that specialize in making that special day perfect. Jim Resh, co-owner with his wife, Barb, of J&B Bridals, said the show has been held annually for about the past 25 years, including 15 years at Wilson.

Research and strategy were among the requirements for fruitful shopping trips as thousands of residents descended on area stores on Black Friday. "We got started at 7:30 last night," said Candice Gilliland of Shirleysburg, Pa., in Huntingdon County. With her husband, Brett, and neighbor, Tricia Morgan, they came directly to Hagerstown, hitting Walmart first. "We scoped out all the electronics we wanted and strategically placed ourselves" around the store to limit shopping and checkout time, Gilliland said.

The clouds, wind, and chilly weather swirling around Maymart in downtown Hagerstown Thursday morning didn't keep everyone inside. “It was nice to get everything quick,” Hagerstown resident Lolita Spangler said. “(Maymart) brings everything in one place where you can shop and find out about services without having to go far.” Spangler, 35, was in the Public Square taking advantage of the city's annual Maymart celebration, in which area businesses set up booths to sell goods directly to customers.

TRI-STATE - For Black Friday shoppers, it's all about the "experience. " Like the experience Kim Brown, 37, and her aunt, Bonnie Forsyth, 58, once shared outside Bon-Ton at 5:30 a.m. They were waiting for an early-bird sale upon the store's 6 a.m. opening - only to remember a half-hour later that the item they wanted was at Hecht's, not Bon-Ton. "I don't even remember what it was we were there to get," said Forsyth, of Clear Spring. "All I know is we waited outside all that time and we were at the wrong store.

The beginning of school can be an exciting time, but back-to-school costs can stress parents. Piled on the bills already accrued for new shoes and clothing, come incidental costs, such as a class field trip, admission to sporting events or a school play. Thinking like a businessperson can, however, help parents reduce the stress of shopping. Following good business practices also may help stretch funds. First, make a list of fixed expenses, including enrollment costs, lunch fees and supplies.

Sorry about the big storm last week. My fault. Also, this column should serve as a clip-and-save for any man who at some time in the future may be lured into the sirens' song of doing his Christmas shopping early, as opposed to waiting until a more appropriate time, such as 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve. I went to Sam's Club for the first time in my life about two weeks ago. It's one of those trade-offs when you get hitched. She'll chance into watching a few innings of baseball and I'll chance into a few department stores.

MONTREAL - This city is proud to tell you that it has 38 kilometers (for those of you unfamiliar with the metric system, that's 284 tons) of underground shopping malls. Many readers who are quick on the uptake will have already surmised by now why this was bad news for me. The Retail Sector in High Heels took it as a challenge, nay, a duty, to cover every last inch, with me tagging along in tow like a dingy after a sailing vessel. In the interest of fairness, we always alternate our vacation-site selection and this was, sadly, a selection of mine.

With so many historical and outdoor attractions in Washington County, tourism has long been a strong component of the local economy. With the development and expansion of several retail centers in recent years, Washington County has emerged as a destination for shopaholics. Prime Outlets, the top destination for out-of-county residents for the past five years, annually reports more than 4.5 million shopping visits. About 80 percent of those shoppers come from outside the county, according to Tom Riford, president of the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB)

By JULIE E. GREENE Staff Writer Construction of a $40 million shopping complex west of Hagerstown is expected to begin in September so the first phase of stores can open in late summer 1999, according to its developer. The Centre at Hagerstown would create 1,500 full- and part-time jobs with an expected annual payroll of $20 million to $23 million, Phillip L. Ross, director of the McLean, Va.-based development firm Petrie Dierman Kughn, said Friday. The center could have at least 11 anchor stores, which range in size from 25,000 square feet to more than 130,000 square feet, Ross said.

If your insurance has ever stopped covering a prescription drug or you don't have coverage at all, you know how quickly costs can mount. Americans spent, on average, $758 out of pocket for medication in 2012, according to a recent Consumer Reports national telephone poll. And in its survey of 1,130 people who regularly took prescription drugs - the insured and uninsured - 12 percent spent more than $1,200 last year. Consumer Reports' advice if you're looking to reduce out-of-pocket drug costs: Shop around.

The whole family can learn ways to help Mother Earth on Mother's Day weekend at the fifth annual Boonsboro Green Fest. The free event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 11, at Shafer Park, offers music, children's activities, speakers and fun opportunities to help the environment. An opening ceremony starts at 9:30 a.m. This year, Green Fest features 160 vendors, and participants are eligible for 63 door prizes totaling more than $2,500 in value. “It's very family friendly,” said Brigitte Schmidt, whose entire family volunteers.

The Craver family won a $5,000 shopping spree at R. Bruce Carson Jewelers in the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts' annual raffle on March 21.

A fun part of my client's success is my famous grocery shopping tour. We go to a local grocery store, and show them how to read food labels, get the most supportive food items, what to eat less of and what to flat out avoid. This where the rubber hits the road if you want to transform your body, and take control over your health and physical well being. Here are some tips to help get you on your way.   Buy as much locally grown fresh foods as you can. I'm an advocate for buying as close to nature as you can. Buying fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables and meats can help assure that you are getting the most nutrient dense foods with minimal "shelf time.

Name of business: A Touch of Class Furniture & Glassware Emporium Owners: Cheryl Phelps and Larry Fritts Sr. Address: 308 W. Congress St., Charles Town, W.Va. Opening date: June 6, 2012 Products and services: Our shop offers unique gifts, finds and furnishings. We carry middle- to high-end furniture, glassware, antiques and collectables, including Henkel Harris, Broyhill, Hitchcock, Fenton, Waterford and Fostoria, McCoy. We also offer consignment as an option to accommodate the families who are downsizing, as well as those who might be going into retirement homes.

Mayor Daniel Murphy gave an encouraging report Tuesday night about business growth in town but asked county officials for help in bringing back another business and pitched an idea for a new library. Evolve Composites, which manufactures heating and air-conditioning condenser pads, Handi-Block lightweight deck piers and other products, has moved into the former Fleetwood building. Murphy said the company has been doing well and is expected to increase its work shifts. Also, local businessman Jerry Spessard has invented a device that automatically will call balls and strikes at home plate in baseball games and he plans to start manufacturing the devices in a building next to Evolve Composites, Murphy told the Washington County Board of Commissioners during a meeting at town hall.

Few are brave enough to risk opening a business in today's uncertain economy. But times were just as financially tumultuous in the recession-ravaged 1980s when Tim Myers, Nancy Motichka and her son, Tom Motichka, took a risk and opened The Jewelry Shop in downtown Greencastle. The business is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month. Myers was just 18 years old when he and Nancy Motichka opened the shop on April 1, 1983, at 18 E. Baltimore St. in Greencastle. Tom Motichka, 27, was a silent partner in the business when it opened.

A Martinsburg man was charged with aggravated robbery for a holdup Friday morning at Jim's Auto Service, according to the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office. Jimmy Lee Sims, 20, of 1693 Files Cross Road, was arrested Friday afternoon on the robbery charge, police said. He was arraigned at Berkeley County Magistrate Court and posted bail, police said. The robbery occurred at 6:14 a.m. when three males entered the business and demanded money from the owner, police said. The three males assaulted the owner and left with a small amount of cash, police said.

The Washington County Division of Public Works Engineering and Construction Department has announced the closure of Garis Shop Road at the bridge over Antietam Creek.   Effective Tuesday, March 5, the bridge will be closed to through traffic between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., the county says in a news release. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of the week, the release says. A detour will be posted to route traffic around the project.   For additional information, contact Assistant County Administrator Sarah Lankford Sprecher at 240-313-2215.

A Monday morning fire that destroyed the Reel Deal Bait & Tackle shop at 26 Canal St. in Hancock caused an estimated $300,000 in damages, the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office said. Officials were investigating the cause of the fire, which was reported by a neighbor at 2:56 a.m., according to a fire marshal's office news release. Hancock Fire Chief Danny Shirley said Monday afternoon that flames were shooting through the roof when firefighters arrived. “There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters,” he said.