MiddletownJournal.com

WEST CHESTER TWP. — When the going gets tough, the tough prepare for the kickoff of the holiday shopping season the day after Thanksgiving: Black Friday.

And while it's been a tough year for retailers, heading into the holiday season IKEA officials say they are delighted with the area's response to their new store.

"Everyone has been asking us how we've been faring in this economic climate, and really we couldn't be happier," said Kitalena Mason, spokeswoman for the IKEA West Chester Twp. store, which sells furniture, housewares and other Scandanavian-designed products. "Sales are good and people are realizing just how affordable we are."

The 344,000-square-foot store, which opened in March, has been decked with Christmas décor since October and will be rolling out a "something new in the bedroom" promotion for Black Friday weekend, said Lonnie Rodgers, store manager.

Employees have already met to discuss "crowd control" and other issues for IKEA's first Thanksgiving weekend sale. Rodgers said they're expecting a line of customers beginning as early as two hours before the 9 a.m. opening.

"This is our first (Black Friday), so we have taken every precaution to make sure customers are happy outside and inside the store," Mason said.

Tickets will be handed out for the large sale items, Rodger said, so shoppers can take their time shopping without worrying about losing out on the item.

In addition to sales, Mason said the store will offer free breakfast to shoppers until 10:30 a.m., and special entertainment — including mascot Marty the Moose, balloon artists and stilt walkers — in the children's department. Parents can also drop off children for supervised playtime at the IKEA Small Land.

Throughout the holidays, IKEA will also be selling its holiday decorations for 40 percent off while supplies last. A portion of all plush toy purchases and the entire amount of UNICEF card purchases will be donated to the UNICEF Save the Children campaign, Mason said.

More sales could come throughout the coming weeks and through the New Year, Rodgers said, though he could not disclose any specifics. Residents can sign up for e-mail updates on new events by visiting www.ikea-usa.com/westchester.