AURORA, IL —This year has taken a lot from Americans, but the one thing it can't take — the one thing even a pandemic can't fully defeat — is Black Friday, the one day each year when the most dedicated holiday shoppers in Aurora can score the best deal on a cell phone or big-screen TV.

Black Friday falls on Nov. 27 this year, and while many major retailers are scaling back their hours due to the pandemic, a majority still plan to be open for the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season.

As you plan this year's Black Friday itinerary, you'll want to know when malls are open in Aurora:

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  • Chicago Premium Outlets: Closed Thanksgiving; open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Black Friday
  • Fox Valley Mall: Closed Thanksgiving; open from 8 a.m to 10 p.m. Black Friday

Aurora police are set to close roads and post detours starting at 4 a.m. Friday to control traffic in and out of the Chicago Premium Outlets.

Road Closures, Detours Planned For Black Friday In Aurora

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This year won't be exactly like years past, though. If you're waiting until Black Friday, you could miss out on the best deals.

Most national retailers are doing their best to curb crowds this year as coronavirus cases surge in most states. Many are putting in action alternative strategies — such as extending availability of online "doorbuster" deals and offering curbside pickup and delivery — in order to keep shoppers and employees safe.

"We'll still find steep discounts the day after Thanksgiving," Sara Skirboll, a retail and shopping expert with RetailMeNot, told The Associated Press. "But for 2020, Black Friday is not the official kickoff to the holiday shopping season. It's already underway, and so are the deals."

Last year, U.S. households spent an average of $511 on gifts during the winter holiday shopping season, according to Deloitte, a consultancy firm. This year, that number is projected to be about the same, with one notable uptick.

According to AP, the National Retail Federation projects more than 60 percent of consumers plan to purchase the majority of their holiday items online, compared with 56 percent last year.

If you are planning to shop in person, do your best to be prepared, Skirboll said.

"If you are someone who really enjoys strolling through store aisles and browsing to find the right gift, you may need to readjust your thinking," Skirboll said. "If you must go out in public to shop, create a list before heading to the store, and get in and out as quickly as possible."

Still planning to shop in person? Here are this year's Black Friday store hours, according to BlackFriday.com, though Patch encourages calling ahead to confirm exact hours with your specific location:

  • Academy Sports + Outdoors: Closed Thanksgiving; open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Black Friday.
  • Ace Hardware: Closed Thanksgiving; Black Friday hours vary by franchise.
  • Apple: Closed Thanksgiving; open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Black Friday.
  • Ann Taylor: Closed Thanksgiving; check mall for Black Friday hours.
  • Ashley HomeStore: Closed Thanksgiving; open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Black Friday.
  • Banana Republic: Closed Thanksgiving; open 8 a.m. Black Friday.
  • Barnes & Noble: Closed Thanksgiving; open 8 a.m. Black Friday.
  • Bass Pro Shops: Open 8 a.m. Thanksgiving; open 5 a.m. Black Friday.
  • Bed Bath & Beyond: Closed Thanksgiving; open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Black Friday.
  • Belk: Closed Thanksgiving; opens 7 a.m. Black Friday.
  • Best Buy: Closed Thanksgiving; opens 5 a.m. Black Friday.
  • Big Lots: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thanksgiving; open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Black Friday.
  • Burlington: Closed Thanksgiving; open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Black Friday.
  • Cabela's: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thanksgiving; opens 5 a.m. Black Friday.
  • Costco: Closed Thanksgiving; opens 9 a.m. Black Friday.
  • CVS: 24-hour locations open Thanksgiving; open regular hours Black Friday.
  • DICK'S Sporting Goods: Closed Thanksgiving; opens 5 a.m. Black Friday.
  • Dollar General: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thanksgiving; open regular hours Black Friday.
  • DSW: Closed Thanksgiving; open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Black Friday.
  • Fleet Farm: Closed Thanksgiving; opens 6 a.m. Black Friday.
  • GameStop: Closed Thanksgiving; opens 7 a.m. Black Friday.
  • Gap: Closed Thanksgiving; check mall hours for Black Friday.
  • Harbor Freight Tools: Closed Thanksgiving; open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Black Friday.
  • Hobby Lobby: Closed Thanksgiving; opens 8 a.m. Black Friday.
  • JCPenney: Closed Thanksgiving; opens 5 a.m. Black Friday.
  • Kohl's: Closed Thanksgiving; opens 5 a.m. Black Friday.
  • Lowe's: Closed Thanksgiving; opens 6 a.m. Black Friday.
  • Macy's: Closed Thanksgiving; open 5 a.m. to midnight Black Friday.
  • Marshall's: Closed Thanksgiving; opens 7 a.m. Black Friday.
  • Michael's: Closed Thanksgiving; opens 7 a.m. Black Friday.
  • Nordstrom: Closed Thanksgiving; open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Black Friday
  • OfficeDepot and OfficeMax: Closed Thanksgiving; opens 9 a.m. Black Friday.
  • Old Navy: Closed Thanksgiving; opens 12 a.m. Black Friday.
  • Pottery Barn: Closed Thanksgiving; Black Friday hours vary.
  • Sam's Club: Closed Thanksgiving; opens 7 a.m. Black Friday.
  • Sephora: Closed Thanksgiving; heck mall hours for Black Friday.
  • Staples: Closed Thanksgiving; opens 9 a.m. Black Friday.
  • Target: Closed Thanksgiving; open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Black Friday.
  • Ulta: Closed Thanksgiving; open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Black Friday.
  • Victoria's Secret: Closed Thanksgiving; check mall hours for Black Friday.
  • Walmart: Closed Thanksgiving; opens 5 a.m. Black Friday

To avoid overspending on holiday gifts, it's important to make a list, set a budget and stick to it. Also, know your shopping triggers. For example, many people can't resist a sale. But not all bargains are created equal, and shoppers should be wary of the "buy more, save more" types of deals.

"You think you are getting a better value when you see $10 off $50 or $20 off $50, but it's the same percent discount, so don't let that discount claim make you spend more," consumer savings expert Andrea Woroch told CNBC.

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