Published: November 18, 2008 01:32 am         

CONSUMERS: Medina businesses offer bargains in 'Moonlight Madness'

“Black Friday” may arguably be the largest shopping day of the year. However, here in Medina the real bargains are found once a year during the annual Moonlight Madness.

What was originally started as a shopping opportunity a number of years ago in Medina, Midnight Madness has seen a revitalization in the past four years from community shops.

From 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, various Main Street businesses will have extended hours for participating customers. According to Jaye Sullivan, the third-generation owner of Blissett’s, this gives residents a chance to get a jump-start on holiday shopping.

“It’s something we do for the community — we run special hours and it serves as a preview for the Thanksgiving sales,” Sullivan said. “All the stores participating have good values, and hopefully the community will come out and shop locally and help them out.”

Participating stores will feature pre-holiday sales, “huge discounts,” clearance sales and special promotions at each establishments.

“In the past, it’s been a very popular event,” she said. “It’s a fun time — everybody goes from store to store and we have cookies and snacks out.”

Some stores, including Ashlee’s Place, at 116 E. Center St., offer special incentives for shoppers who show up in their pajamas.

“We have special sales going that night, and any customer who comes in wearing their pajamas will get a $10 gift certificate,” said owner Angela Waldriff. “Moonlight Madness offers something different than what people would normally find in the malls; it’s a more hometown feel. With the price of gas and the importance of keeping businesses local, it’s important for us — and important for people to see what we have to offer in Medina.”

A variety of shops will be open, including book shops, restaurants, video rental and arts and crafts shops.

“It’s a pre-holiday sale that invites the community into town to shop before they begin to shop elsewhere,” said Sue Phillips, owner of The Book Shoppe, 519 Main St. “It’s been very successful in the past.”

Contact editor Jessica Wasmund at 798-1400, ext. 8225.

Participating downtown merchants

• The Book Shoppe, 519 Main St.

• Baughn’s, 438 Main St.

• Mark’s Pizzeria, 549 Main St.

• Zambistro, 408 Main St.

• Curvin’s/Downtown Video, 549 Main St.

• The Whole Nine Yards, 513 Main St.

• Canal Country Artisans, 135 E. Center St.

• Blissett’s, 447 Main St.

• Vision 2000, 521 Main St.

• Shirt Factory Cafe, 115 W. Center St.

• Rosenkrans Pharmacy & Gift Shop, 526 Main St.

• Avanti Pizza, 500 Main St.

• A Knitter’s Corner, 111 W. Center St.

• Apple Blossom Florist, 530A Main St.

• Celebrity Day Spa, 426 Main St.

• Ashlee’s Place, 116 E. Center St.

• Creekside Floral, 422 Main St.