Dedham Stores Get OK for Early Black Friday Opening

DEDHAM, MA — After the Thanksgiving turkey dinner is over and the last football games are finished, the lights go on at some of the local shops in Dedham.

Last week, the selectmen approved the Black Friday openings for Old Navy, Five Below, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Toys R Us, and Best Buy. Five Below will be the first to open on Nov. 25 at 12:05 a.m., Old Navy and Dick’s are next at 12:30 a.m., and Best Buy and Toys R Us will open their doors at 1 a.m.

Despite voting for it, board members said they were concerned about workers having to leave their family members early and trying to enjoy dinner with the extra hours hanging over them. Store representatives said many of their employees volunteer to work the early opening, with only a representative from Dick’s telling the board that working Black Friday is an expectation.

Shoppers heading out for some post Thanksgiving gift grabbing should not expect the usual shopping experience. At Best Buy for example, there will be lights in the parking lot, a 70-foot increase in barricades from last year, and a paid police detail.

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