Black Friday
Shoppers head out in search of big bargains todayBy KAY SEDGMER and ED POLLI, Times Leader Staff Writers
Article Photos
DESPITE A chill in the air the atmosphere was charged as thousands of shoppers lined up around the outskirts of the Ohio Valley Mall in St. Clairsville for the opening of Black Friday.
Doors opened at a few stores at 4 a.m. while most other businesses opened to the public at 5 or 6 a.m.
"It's busy," said a manager at Toys-R-Us. "We've been swamped since the doors opened and it's not showing any signs of slowing down. Most people are looking for a good buy on the big ticket items like Nintendo Wii and other electronics."
Shoppers at Sears were looking for similar deals with most of them charging to the electronic department when store personnel opened the doors.
"It's my first time to be out on the day after Thanksgiving," said Joe Cameron of Barnesville. "I didn't have anything else planned for the day and I was up ... so here I am."
It was also the first time for Donna Murphy of Flushing to hit the stores on Black Friday. However, her husband, Paul, and daughter, Carrie, are veterans.
"They go every year," she said. "Carrie loves it!"
Brady Vannest of Wheeling was happy to be first in line at Sears. "I'm here for a television," he said. "I'm not doing any Christmas shopping. I just want the TV and then I'm heading home."
Shoppers who had been at Elder-Beerman's were carrying out shopping bags loaded with merchandise. The register lines were nearly as long as they had been as people waited to enter the doors prior to opening. "This is wonderful news," said Julie Cummins-Mamie, assistant marketing director at the mall. She arrived at the mall at 5 a.m. to get ready to distribute about 400 goody bags filled with great savings for those ages 12 and older. A lucky few will find mall merchant gift cards including a $250 gift certificate to Vanity and gift cars to Velocity.
Among the early birds at Elder-Beerman was Lori Cochran of Zanesville, who was visiting relatives in Barnesville, but came to the mall to purchase Christmas gifts for the family.
Tammy Huff of Martins Ferry was among the early shoppers as well, and came to purchase photo frames.
Diane Orum of Bridgeport was looking for jewelry items, and Rita and Ann Bumgardner of Shadyside said they were just looking to purchase items which were on sale.
Charla Macy of Bethesda, is one of those shoppers who comes to the mall and plaza every Black Friday. "This is the place to be," she said. "I usually come just to watch the crowds and meet a lot of people, and I am doing that this year, but I also came to purchase some gifts for my new granddaughter. This is a special Christmas for our family," Charla said.
Dan and Rita Szajewski are visiting relatives in Bridgeport. They said they wanted to get a few items before they headed home. "If we were in Dearborn we would be at our mall, so we may as well get some shopping done while we are here," Rita said. "Our mall is a madhouse on Black Friday just as it is here."
Lisa Husarik of Bridgeport, was also headed to Toys 'R Us to get some toys for her daughter, Daelynn. "I also plan to go to stores at the mall and plaza to purchase gifts for other family members," she said.
Crystal Bolock, Gail Seevers, Jennifer Russo and Shelby Richards were enjoying the crowds and the hustle and bustle of the season. "This is a lot of fun," Jennifer said. "However, we are getting some good bargains on a lot of items, and that means very much."
Aleysa Hendershot and her husband, Chris, of Barnesville, started off at the plaza and worked their way over to the mall. They were joined by friends Jennifer Phillips and Heather Hanshaw of Marion, Ohio. "Like everyone, we are looking for all kinds of bargains on a lot of useful gifts," Aleysa said.
George Diab, mall manager, said he was more than pleased with the turnout of shoppers today. "I would say we were as busy today as we were in past years.
"I am excited about the turnout at our stores, even the ones that opened very early like Elder-Beerman and Sears," he continued. "Both stores were jammed with shoppers and their parking lots were filled with cars. It looks the same at KMart, and Toys 'R Us is also being swamped with shoppers. Things are looking good, and we are hopeful for an excellent shopping season."
Diab said the stores at the mall plan to offer all kinds of excellent bargains during the holiday season for the shoppers.
Carolyn Thompson of Warwood, also a first-time Black Friday shopper, was out with her 10-month-old grandson Roman. "It's the first time for both of us to be out," she said. "It's crazy, but I've found some great buys. I will do it again."
Among the numerous cars, trucks and SUV's filling the parking lot at the mall a limousine was spotted dropping off holiday shoppers.
Chris Thompson of Adena managed to find a gift she was searching for but was having a difficult time finding her sister and niece. "I got the gift," she said. "But I can't find them!"
Katie Parkinson, 13, of New Athens, is already a veteran Black Friday shopper. "I've been doing this since I was about five," she said.
At 6 a.m., restaurants were just beginning to see crowds heading there way but were anticipating a busy day.
"We haven't had too many yet," said an employee at Cracker Barrel. "It will get busy soon!"
Sedgmer may be reached at ksedgmer@timesleaderonline.com
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JLucas
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11-30-08 2:38 PM
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LOL<<I remember when this was the scene in Wheeling WV with crowded streets and decorated stores. And, let's not forget Harts in Brookside as well as Hills in Benwood. Now, the mall is going by the wayside just like Wheeling did when the Mall opened up. Opportunity knocks for these areas as real estate opens up for say, pharmaceuticals? How about an Amazon distribution center? Who will open the door?
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UNCOMMONSENSE
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11-28-08 6:55 PM
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Amazing how people just can't wait to get their hands on the latest in Chinese made junk.
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