Detroit News Thanksgiving edition now available

Sterling Heights — Eager holiday shoppers snagged Black Friday sales advertisements early Wednesday by visiting a pull-up, assembly-line newspaper stand at the Detroit News and Free Press printing plant.

The News’ biggest newspaper of the year is packed with door busters and holiday savings.

"I saw the signs (while) driving to work this week," said Candy Kolassa, 41 of Macomb Township. "My favorite thing to do on Thanksgiving is to look through the ads and I figured I could get a head start tonight."

The Kolassa family traditionally takes the ads on an all-night shopping spree, beginning around 9 p.m. Thanksgiving, she said.

"We usually start at Kohl's, hit up Target and Walmart, then the mall," Kolassa said. "Usually we're done by 6 a.m. Friday."

Kolassa grabbed six papers Wednesday, three News and three Free Press.

Her car was among dozens that trickled along a driveway marked with cones Wednesday morning at the plant. Several employees met drivers at their windows, asking which paper they would like to purchase.

"We've probably sold about 100 papers so far today," said John Morey, regional marketing director. His team was less than one hour into their all-day sale that began at 7:30 a.m.

"Last year we sold 500 here, and this year we're hoping to sell about 1,000," he said. "We started (selling papers) about five hours earlier than last year."

This is the News and Free Press' second year selling Thanksgiving papers one day early, Morey said.

Among the flow of early-bird buyers was a woman who bought a giant stack of 10 papers to pass out to co-workers.

Another visitor simply wanted the newspaper he has read for decades.

"I starting taking The News a long time ago," said 73-year-old Richard Thomas of Macomb Township. "It's probably been 45 years."

His loyalty runs deep, he said.

"Sometimes (the delivery man) makes a mistake and delivers the Free Press," Thomas said. "And I have to call up and say 'You delivered the wrong paper.' "

The Thanksgiving Detroit News edition will be available until mid- to late afternoon outside the printing press, located at 6200 Metropolitan Parkway in Sterling Heights.

Enter off Metropolitan Parkway and follow the signs to your biggest Black Friday deals. Papers are available at newsstands Wednesday afternoon.

hfournier@detroitnews.com

(313) 223-4616

@HollyPFournier