'Black Friday' Rescheduled to Saturday in Stony Brook

Call it Black Saturday. Black Friday has been rescheduled in Stony Brook.

Citing predictions of inclement weather, the Stony Brook Village Center said Tuesday that its holiday shopping kickoff event originally scheduled for Friday will happen Saturday instead. The shops will still be open for business on Friday, of course.

"Black Friday will be Black Friday," said Marie Gilberti, communications manager for the village center. "Because of the actual events, that's why we have to move it. We don't want to be poured on."

Starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, the village center will offer a lineup of activities featuring "Uncle Marty" the Magician, The Cat in the Hat, a petting zoo and children's crafts. After a similar event during Labor Day weekend which drew more than a thousand, store owners are looking forward to Saturday as a way to draw local shoppers away from big box stores and malls.

"They just flock to these mega sales, so we're trying to do something that will be different and more enjoyable," said Kathy Pagano, owner of . "We're really anticipating a very big weekend here."

Pagano said she can't compete with big chain store discounts but is counting on what she said are advantages that mom-and-pop stores like hers have over competitors. That includes individualized customer service and more personal ways to engage people, like gift wrapping and cookies and other treats for kids.

"Going forward, we're going to try and create an atmosphere that is fun," Pagano said. "That's the holiday spirit. As opposed to just thinking about getting the best deals."