Black Friday sales draw crowds

Published 12:05 am Saturday, November 26, 2011

Customers lined up on the chip aisle at a local retailer before the Black Friday deals began. | Stephanie Nelson/Star News

 

Lines and more lines — that’s how “Black Friday” looked in Andalusia yesterday.

For many merchants, Black Friday is the day they begin making a profit.

JCPenney manager Dennis Cockrell said there was a line of 50-75 people ready to shop when the store opened at 3:30 a.m.

But despite the rush, Cockrell said it was going really well.

“Seventy percent of the day was done from opening until 1 p.m.,” he said.

Goody’s manager Leslie Melton said there was a crowd waiting at her store, as well.

“We had a crowd waiting and people sitting in their cars when we opened this morning,” she said. “It went pretty good.”

Big retailers weren’t the only ones drawing large crowds.

At Ansley Place, owner Louisa Baker said sales were going really well.

“We have been most excited,” she said. “We have a big sale and there’s plenty more. Don’t forget Shop Small Saturday.”

Shop Small Saturday is geared toward shopping at local small businesses to help them increase their sales, and is going on today.

Pink Peppers owner Marrianne Dubose said the morning had been busy.

“We’ve had a great day and a great turnout,” she said. “There’s been a consistent flow all morning long. Everyone is in a good mood.”

For local residents, some waited in lines for hours, while others decided to take on the sales in the comforts of their own homes.

“We stood in line for five hours and bought two TVs, a GPS and some household items,” said Charlene Cotton Davis.

Vickie Watson said she started shopping at 9:50 p.m. Thursday and ended at 4:30 a.m. Friday.

“I got a lot of household items, a luggage set and some surprises I’m not going to mention,” she said.

Others, like Tripp Norris and Shannon Elliot, opted for online shopping, they said.