Shoppers flock to stores on Black Friday

COAL RUN, Ky. (WYMT) – From the treats and coupons to the shelves of discounted items, shoppers flocked to Black Friday sales in Pike County.

On Friday, stores saw a slow increase in business as only a handful of stores opened their doors for early shopping. One of those stores, JCPenney, quickly saw a revolving door of shoppers, with people streaming in early for the 5 a.m. opening in hopes of snagging Christmas presents.

“I remember it was always fun as a kid. You know, you eat Thanksgiving dinner, take a little nap, wake up and try to get out. And it’s fun too. Most of all, I’m glad it opened early because a lot of stores aren’t open yet,” said shopper Leah Reeves.

Some say they hit stores with Black Friday deals for the first time this year. Others say they have been relying on the tradition for decades.

“Since I’ve been alive. I love shopping. Every time,” said Madison Newsome, whose group came first. “I mean, it’s usually my birthday around this time too, so it’s like birthday, food, shopping. It doesn’t get any better.”

Although many stores have changed the look of sales and many customers are completing their shopping carts online, shoppers Friday morning said it’s about more than just convenience, it’s about culture.

Because of this tradition aspect, some shoppers said they made the decision to get back into the spirit of the sales this year.

“We’re starting our tradition again,” Diana Hall said. “This is our first trip post-COVID.”

Others said they decided to look for lines on a whim.

“We actually decided to do some last-minute Black Friday shopping. We usually do it online,” Reeves said. “But we thought it would be a fun little time together as a couple.”

The dedicated shoppers who were among the first in line at JC Penney say it’s almost like a game, especially now that the hustle and bustle has largely disappeared and the focus is more on holiday fun.

“I like the fun. But I liked it when it was crazy,” Newsome said. “It’s pretty civilized.”

While many malls across the city had varying hours, community members predicted good crowds throughout the day, even with winter weather in the forecast.

“The influx of vehicles has been steady, so it’s busier than I thought it would be,” Hall said.

Whether you’re looking for a specific gift or a snow globe, shoppers say Black Friday is the best choice.

Copyright 2024 WYMT. All rights reserved.