“Black Friday,” the day after Thanksgiving and the traditional first shopping day, will be starting early in Douglas County with two Arbor Place mall stores opening at midnight.

According to Charlotte Wagner, Arbor Place marketing director, the Disney Store and Aeropostale, plan to open their doors to shoppers at midnight. They will be followed by Old Navy at 3 a.m. and Belk’s, J.C. Penney and Sears at 4 a.m.

“The mallwide opening will be at 5 a.m.,” Wagner said. “Free holiday coupon books will be handed out in the mall and at the Santa set, gift wrap, Chick-fil-A, Gap and Bed, Bath and Beyond. About 60 retailers are participating in the coupons.”

Wagner said she is encouraged by everything she’s read about the upcoming holiday season.

“Our retailers are very positive about this season,” she said. “People have started shopping earlier and several stores have brought back lay-aways since shoppers are more conscious about debt.”

Wagner said retail inventories are not as high this year as compared with past years, but most stores are offering a lot of sales and discounts.