A good shopper needs to be persistent. ?
Heather Fraley of Altoona agreed as she arrived at Sears in the Logan Valley Mall at 2:45 p.m. Thursday to await the store's 8 p.m. opening.
"I am here to get a 32-inch TV for my daughter. I was in line at Kmart this morning at 2:30 a.m. but didn't get it so I came here. I am not going to miss out on another one," Fraley said.
Article Photos
Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski
Shoppers wait in line outside Kmart in Logan Township on Thursday afternoon waiting for the Black Friday doorbuster deals that were set to begin at 8 p.m. A number of retailers were opening Thursday evening to get a jump on the busy holiday season.
Hundreds of shoppers waited in line Thursday evening at stores such as Sears, Kmart and Toys R Us which were opening at 8 p.m. Others were waiting in similar lines at Target, Best Buy and other retailers.
Shoppers said you had to get in line early to make sure you got the bargains you were hunting.
Cole Burket and Darren Rightenour of Claysburg camped out at Sears at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
They were in line to buy a 50-inch Toshiba LED TV for $299.
"I liked it better when it started on Black Friday. I would never have come that early, but I was afraid I wouldn't get the TV I wanted if I didn't get here early," Burket said.
"We had to sit here and didn't get to spend time with our family. I liked it better when it started on Friday," Rightenour said. "I've been here 25 hours to get a TV, but it is definitely worth it."
Shane Burkett of Claysburg later joined Burket and Rightenour after he took time to enjoy his Thanksgiving Day meal.
"I am also here for a TV. I stayed home to eat dinner. I was lucky to get the fifth spot in line," Burkett said.
Shoppers also were looking to buy TVs at Kmart.
Bruce Walker and Lisa Miller of Altoona were first in line at 4:30 p.m. after they had their meal at 3 p.m.
"I don't like it. I wanted to lay down after we ate. I am missing football games, but I need that TV," Walker said.
Cory Snyder of Duncansville also was in line to get a TV, but he had mixed feelings about shopping on the holiday.
"You are supposed to be giving thanks to God today. We should take more time to thank God for what he has blessed us with," Snyder said.
Shoppers began to line up at 2 p.m. at Toys R Us in the Park Hills Plaza. The store was handing out free bags of toys valued at $30 for the first 200 customers in line.
Shoppers there said they weren't happy with the Thanksgiving evening opening and preferred that shopping begin on Black Friday as it had in the past.
"It diminishes the holiday, you can't spend the quality time with your family. Everyone needs a deal, but it takes a good share of your time to do it," said Tammy Yon of Altoona.
"It is called Black Friday, and it should be on Friday, but I have to go where the bargains are," said Chenoa Mock of Bellwood. "It stinks; it cuts into Thanksgiving. We missed a dinner to be here."
The Thanksgiving evening shopping worked out well for Frances Fleck of Altoona.
"It doesn't bother me. I cooked, and my husband cleaned so I get to come out shopping. I am here with my family," Fleck said.
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.
