Shivering shoppers camp out for Black Friday bargains
9:05 p.m. Thursday, November 22, 2007
The first group in line has been here since 3 a.m. But for all campers, it's survival of the fittest. They've got tents, blankets and layers of clothes on just to make it through the night.
But for one family, the experience has become tradition.
While many families were enjoying an afternoon Thanksgiving feast...
"We ate at 10:00 in the morning."
Ila Rose Bosworth is camping outside of Best Buy...
"Freezing, waiting in line to get some bargains, I guess," Ila Rose Bosworth explained.
Bargains on electronics Bosworth says she wouldn't miss for the world. In fact, she and her family have turned the pre-Black Friday celebration into tradition.
They've been here since 11 a.m.
"It's become an annual event. This is, instead of Thanksgiving being about turkey, now it's about standing out in the cold and shopping," Bosworth said.
"We have about 20 pounds of clothes on and whole bunch of blankets, but that's not really doing too much because of the wind," camper Tyler Duling said.
"I've got on sweat pants and jeans, a billion blankets, everything just to stay warm," camper Shanna Henry said.
Think 11 a.m. is crazy? How about 8:30?
That's how long Shanna Henry and her cousin have been here, hoping to get their hands on a computer.
The early morning sacrifice meant Thanksgiving pizza instead of turkey.
Meanwhile, shoppers filled the check out lanes indoors at K-Mart.
Discount prices and clear aisles are what attracted most to shop pre-Black Friday.
"Don't feel like fighting the crowd and so today it was open and I have the time to look around," shopper LaVeta Mages said.
But that won't stop some from joining the madness on the biggest shopping day of the year.
"We spend most of Thanksgiving day besides eating, strategizing for which store have which things that we want the most and what time of day we have to get there," shopper Deborah Anderson said.
Best Buy opens its doors Friday at 5 a.m.
But the earliest is at 4 a.m., across the street at Kohl's.
Other stores across the Capital City will be opening early, but the times vary.
Make your list...
For your shopping convenience, here is a list of stores and when they open on Black Friday:
- JC Penney - Doorbuster hours 4 a.m.-1 p.m.; bonus coupon savings, 3 p.m.-11 p.m.
- Kohl’s - Early bird specials 4 a.m.-1 p.m.
- K-Mart - Special sale 6 a.m.-11 a.m.
- Sears - Early opening specials 5 a.m.-12 noon
- Gordmans - Extra savings bags 5 a.m.-9a.m., Doorbusters 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Burlington Coat Factory - 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Old Navy - Doorbuster deals 5 a.m.
- Bed, Bath and Beyond - 20% off entire purchase from 6 a.m.-10 a.m.
- Best Buy - Doorbuster hours 5 a.m. until specials are sold out
- Hastings - Four hour sale 8 a.m.-12 noon
- Home Depot-6 a.m.
- Lowes- 7 a.m.
- Toys R Us - Doorbuster specials 5 a.m.- 12 noon
To access the Black Friday ads for major retailers, log onto www.blackfriday.info.
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