November 29, 2013 at 4:35 p.m.
Shopping takes center stage on Black Friday
Crowds pack local stores looking for deals
Shopping takes center stage on Black Friday
Several Rhinelander establishments served as hot spots for the deal-hunting masses.
The electronics department at Walmart was crowded with shoppers checking out new televisions and games.
Carole Hall made the trip from St. Germain and was browsing through the movies.
"I look forward to Black Friday all year long," she said. "This is when we get the best deals."
Hall said she likes to make the shopping trip a family affair.
"My whole family is here with me and it's become a tradition for us," she said. "We're up before dawn, on the road, out for breakfast and then we're ready for plenty of shopping."
While Hall said the group planned to do some of their Christmas shopping, she was mostly browsing.
"I'm not looking for anything specific," she said. "I do have a grandson with me that's hunting for an iPod though."
Menards, another popular Black Friday stop, also saw large crowds of shoppers hunting for deals. Brian Keller was working during the rush and said his coworkers were prepared and organized for the big day.
"It's a little bit hectic," he said. "There are a lot of people coming in to shop. It's a challenge to find the products that tend to move around sometimes. We've gotten lucky this year. there haven't been any problems so far on our watch."
Keller said the usual best sellers are popular again this year.
"The gun safes and the kayaks are kind of Black Friday staples around here," he said. "They're selling again. This year, we've added more hunting equipment too, and that's very popular so far."
Danielle Ready was making her way through one of the checkout lines at Menards. She's a long-time Black Friday shopper, but said she's had to change her routine lately.
"I used to get up at 3 a.m. and get coffee before getting in line," she said. "Now that I have kids, I try to wait until about 8 a.m. to get everyone up, fed and dressed. Then I tell them we're going to go look at toys, so that's my strategy."
Her enthusiasm for Black Friday hasn't diminished, she noted.
"I always look forward to Black Friday," she said. "I love shopping and it's a great excuse to get out of the house. It's a really crazy day. Everybody in the entire town is out shopping and everywhere is packed."
Ready only purchased a few small items at Menards though, before making her next stop.
"I'm not looking for anything big and important this year," she said. "There wasn't a lot I needed. I bought some candy for my brothers and sisters and that's about it."
Joan Thompson was looking at shoes at Kohl's Friday morning. She said Black Friday can be kind of a hassle, but the deals make it all worthwhile.
"I hate waiting in the long lines," she said. "It can take up your entire day, if you let it. You can really save some money shopping today though. I don't get up too early or anything, but I always shop on Black Friday.
The shopping that began in the early hours of the morning, continued throughout the day as Northwoods shoppers scoured the aisles looking for the best deals they could find.
With Thanksgiving in the rear-view mirror, the Christmas shopping season has officially begun.
Andy Hildebrand may be reached at [email protected].
WEATHER SPONSORED BY
E-Editions
Latest News
E-Editions
Events
May
To Submit an Event Sign in first
Today's Events
No calendar events have been scheduled for today.
Comments:
You must login to comment.