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Two stores did not open as early as planned Friday morning, but business quickly became brisk once they and other stores did at Vista Ridge Mall..
JC Penney was scheduled to open at 4 a.m. and Sears at 5 a.m.
Lines of people stood outside both stores in darkness because of a power outage at a substation which had occurred in South Lewisville shortly after 3 a.m., according to Leanne Lowry, general manager of the Vista Ridge Mall. The outage covered much of the southern part of the city and a portion of Coppell, she said.
About 4:30 a.m., the lights came on at the JC Penney store and the doors were opened to the lines outside. However, the south part of the mall continued to be in darkness, and electricity did not come back on at Sears until about 5:30, Lowry said.
The remainder of the stores at the mall opened as scheduled at 6 a.m., with power having been fully restored throughout Lewisville and Coppell.
Although the weather was cool, the rain did not begin falling until the lines of people were inside the stores.
“By 8 a.m., the mall was filled with people,” Lowry said.
She said she could see no signs of a failing economy because at least as many people, if not more than on Black Friday of 2007, were in the mall on Black Friday 2008.
Late Friday, she said, “Most retailers are telling us that business is even better this year than last year.
She also said business was brisk the two previous weekends, although not as brisk as on Friday.
To accommodate busy shoppers who are trying to balance school, family and work schedules, Vista Ridge Mall has added hours to shopping days during the busy holiday period. The shopping center will open earlier and close later throughout the season. The extended schedule includes:
*Saturday, Nov, 29, open at 8 a.m. and close at 9 p.m.
*Sunday, Nov. 30, open at 11 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
*Monday, Dec. 1 through Saturday, Dec. 6, open at 10 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. [regular hours].
*Sunday, Dec. 7, open at 11 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. [regular hours].
*Monday, Dec, 8 through Friday, Dec. 12:, open at 10 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. [regular hours].
*Saturday, Dec. 13, open at 9 a.m. and close at 10 p.m.
*Sunday, Dec. 14, open at 11 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. [regular hours].
* Monday, Dec. 15 through Friday, Dec. 19, open at 9 a.m. and close at 10 p.m.
*Saturday, Dec, 20, open at 8 a.m. and close at 10 p.m.
*Sunday, Dec. 21, open at 10 a.m. and close at 10 p.m.
*Monday, Dec. 22 and Tuesday, Dec. 23, open at 8 a.m. and close at 10 p.m.
*Wednesday, Dec. 24, open at 8 a.m. and close at 6 p.m.
*Thursday, Dec. 25, shopping center is closed
*Friday, Dec. 26, open at 8 a.m. and close at 9 p.m.
*Saturday, Dec. 27, open at 9 a.m. and close at 9 p.m.
*Sunday, Dec. 28, open at 11 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. [regular hours].
*Monday, Dec. 29 and Tuesday, Dec. 30, open at 10 a.m. and close at 9 p.m. [regular hours].
*Wednesday, Dec. 31 and Thursday, Jan. 1, open at 10:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m.
Department stores, restaurants and entertainment venues at Vista Ridge Mall may keep different hours. Call for exact opening and closing times.
Vista Ridge Mall, featuring Dillard’s, Macy’s, JCPenney, Sears, Cinemark 15 and more than 140 specialty stores and restaurants, is at I-35E and Round Grove Road (FM 3040) in Lewisville, Texas.
For information, stop by Customer Service on the lower level in Center Court, go to www.vistaridgemall.com or call 972-315-3641.
