Jusy Wilson-Wise, of Conroe, receives help from Caitlyn Hopkins, of The Woodlands, in finding a Holiday outfit at Elizabeth's Boutique in Market Street-The Woodlands. Shops in The Woodlands area are preparing for 'Black Friday' shoppers. Photo by David HopperBy KIM MORGAN
Chronicle correspondent

Shoppers soon will tackle backed-up parking lots to search for the deal-of-the-year on Nov. 27, also known as Black Friday.

The Woodlands Mall is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Nov. 27.

General Manager John Pew said valet parking opens at 10 a.m. and is available for five bucks, even if you shop all day, which people will indeed do.

Pew said a National Research Network survey shows recession or not, two-thirds of Americans still say the tradition of holiday gift-giving is important to them.

Black Friday at the mall will help shoppers stretch their dollars even further, Pew said.

You might want to check out The Merry Giving Zone in Center Court, which will be open until noon or until supplies last. Shoppers can receive a $10 mall gift card by spending $100 or more, a free one-year subscription to Martha Stewart Living magazine by spending $100 or more, and free Holiday Mistle-Totes full of retailer goodies until supplies last.

Of course individual stores in the mall will be tempting shoppers with a variety of sale-busters.

We all know people can get a little crazed about parking and shopping, but Pew said the mall is always active in generating a safe environment.

"We employ Allied Barton, one of the best known shopping center security companies in the country," Pew said. "They provide trained officers in vehicles, on foot and on bike. Last year we added closed-circuit TV cameras which allow us to observe the interior and exterior of the mall."

Susan Peterson, of The Woodlands, decorates a holiday table at Maggies in Market Street-The Woodlands. Shops in The Woodlands area are preparing for holiday shoppers. Photo by David HopperMeanwhile, across Six Pines, the stores at Market Street will open at 9 a.m.

Some of the deals to be found include sale prices ranging from 15 percent to 30 percent at Sweet and Sassy and Eddie Bauer.

Lilly Pulitzer will be giving away door prizes all day, and free gifts with purchases beginning at $100.

Folks who lunch at Jaspers Nov. 27 will receive free valet parking.

When you're done shopping, take your receipt to Cru wine bar, and snag yourself a free mimosa.

Santa also makes his debut at Market Street at 11 a.m. Nov. 27.

And Market Street is giving away five pairs of round-trip tickets from Southwest Airlines. They will draw a winner every Monday beginning Nov. 23 through Dec. 21, so make sure you visit the Concierge Desk between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Black Friday.

Patti Alders, of Conroe, decorates the front window in Elizabeth's Boutique at Market Street-The Woodlands. Shops in The Woodlands area are preparing for post-Thanksgiving Day shoppers. Photo by David HopperThe earliest shopping in Montgomery County technically begins one day before Black Friday.

Moonlight Madness at the Outlets at Conroe, 1111 League Line Road, begins at 11 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, but people start lining up at 10:30, said Marketing and Special Events Manager Jessica Tiger.

"I was shocked the first time I saw that," said Tiger, who added this is the third year the outlet mall has opted for a Moonlight Madness event. "People just really want those deals."

Items that are already marked at clearance prices will be marked down, in some cases as much as 65 percent, Tiger said, essentially meaning some stuff is pretty much free.

"Everyone thinks outlet malls have last season's stuff, but that's not true," Tiger said. "They also have current season apparel, but for way better deals than any department store. You can walk away with a ton of stuff really cheap."

The outlet mall has 30 stores, including Nike, OshKosh B'Gosh, Levi's, Tommy Hilfiger and Vitamin World.

Here's the details on several area retail centers:

The Woodlands Mall
- open 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- valet parking for $5 available beginning at 10 a.m.
- www.thewoodlandsmall.com

Market Street
- open from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- www.marketstreet-thewoodlands.com

Outlets at Conroe
- open 11 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26
- www.conroeoutletcenter.com