'Black Friday Creep' Spurs Online Petition Drives to Save Thanksgiving

Thousands are signing an online petitions against Black Friday store opening hours that have been pushed into Thanksgiving Day.

The trend for stores to open earlier and earlier to take advantage of Black Friday sales—even to the point of opening in the evening on Thanksgiving Day—has prompted an online petition drive to give Thanksgiving back to employees and their families. - - - - -  Read More: Black Friday Shopping in St. Louis to Start Earlier Than Ever - - - - -  The original petition was reportedly created by a Target employee upset that the retail giant is opening on Thanksgiving and requiring employees to work instead of spending time with their families. Target stores, including the one in O'Fallon, will open their doors at 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving. As of Tuesday morning, there are more than 179,000 signatures on the petition. (Check out the petition here.) …

• Photos (1)

Seasonal Jobs Abound as Holiday Season Approaches

Many St. Louis-area big box retail stores are hiring seasonal workers to help handle the holiday shopping season.

Thousands of jobs are on the way to St. Louis as big-box retail stores such as Walmart and Target are set to hire seasonal employees in anticipation of the holiday shopping rush. According to a St. Louis Business Journal report, Walmart plans on hiring more than 50,000 seasonal employees, although it's unclear how many of those jobs will be for the store's 20 St. Louis-area locations. Walmart's not the only store hiring. Many of the Christmas season's go-to stores are also looking for seasonal help. The Business Journal reports that Target is set to hire between 80,000 to 90,000 workers across the country, while Kohl's plans to hire 52,000 workers. And Macy's, which has three locations in the St. Louis-area, plans to add 1,700 jobs to the …

• Photos (1)

Help Wanted: O'Fallon Target Now Hiring Seasonal Store Team Members

Here's your weekly roundup of who's hiring in town and in nearby St. Charles County.

Each week, Patch brings you a list of businesses seeking to fill positions in town and in nearby communities. Here are six opportunities we found this week: Who’s Hiring: Target Location: O'Fallon Job: Seasonal Store Team Members Description: Deliver excellent service to Target guests; help keep the Target brand experience consistent, positive and welcoming, make a difference by responding quickly and responsively to guest and team member needs. Requirements: Cheerful, friendly and helpful To Apply: Click here to apply online. Who’s Hiring: Crider Health Center Location: Wentzville Job: Registered Nurse - Mental Health Description: Provide direct clinical and medical services to clients, as well as direct and indirect case management …

• Photos (1)

Black Friday News and Updates

Find the latest on Black Friday lines, deals and news as it happens. If you see something we should know about, send us a tip at Lindsay.Toler@patch.com or tweet @StLouisLindsay.

•  1 Comment
• Photos (3)

Brandon Fry - Local Volunteer

9:38 am on Friday, November 25, 2011

We got in and out with all of our video games in about 1 hour. We got some great deals and little hassle with long lines this year. Of course we avoided the big box stores. Once we left the mall and went to McDonald's it was a different story.   more ›

Black Friday Shopping Guide in St. Louis

The stores, sales and strategies you need to optimize your all-night shopping blow-out.

Here’s a new holiday tradition to try: Say grace, eat turkey, head to the mall. Black Friday sales start at midnight this year at some of the regions biggest stores, including Walmart, Target, Kohl’s and Best Buy. We’ve read through the ads and compiled everything you need for the best all-night holiday shopping blow-out possible. And for each sale, we've highlighted the items we think would make the best gifts (at the best prices!) Check back on Black Friday for updates and tips, and if you hit the sales, tag your tweets with #BlackFridaySTL or mention @StLouisLindsay. And don't forget: Black Friday sales are already starting online at popular big box stores. Best Buy said they've already sold out of popular $80 TVs and $150 laptops, but …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (2)

Best Of: Fall Fashion Trends for 2011

Patch’s resident fashionista guides you through the perilous waters of this fall’s changing fashion scene.

The whims of fashion are cruel. Just when you thought your austerity inspired black recession wardrobe would last you for years, the fashion industry decided it’s time to boot all that black in favor of something colorfully retro. Here’s what you can expect to see at every place from O’Fallon’s Target to the shops of Mid River’s Mall. Off the shoulder Single shoulder dresses have been creeping into spring fashion, but they’re coming back for fall in a big way. If you have perfectly toned arms and lovely collarbones, this is your chance to show off. Be warned, this isn’t a fashion that will last for long. You’ll look cutting edge this year and horribly dated next year. Patterns: Polka Dots and Plaid If you love vintage pinup and rockabilly …

• Photos (1)

O'Fallon Target Stores Set for Makeovers

New PFresh concept will bring produce, bakery and meat items to locations on highways K and N.

O’Fallon residents will soon see changes popping up at their local Target department stores. The Target locations on highways N and K are the latest stores to be scheduled for a changeover that will see the retailer offering fresh fruit and vegetables and an expanded variety of fresh packaged meats and bakery items. Known as PFresh, it’s a concept the chain is introducing to stores around the nation. Pioneered by the retailer in 2008, the idea involves a more extensive grocery selection that features exclusive Target brands. “Target’s new expanded food layout was created in response to research and feedback from guests who requested more fresh food selection in the convenience of their local Target store,” states a news release from the …

• Photos (1)