'Black Friday' a time for bargains
But not all shoppers up to the after-Thanksgiving rush
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

While some Wharton and El Campo shoppers galloped into stores well before dawn Friday, wild horses couldn't drag others into the mayhem.

They call it Black Friday - the beginning of the holiday shopping season, when most stores can count on holiday shoppers to help them put their books back in the black.

Many major retailers estimate roughly 30 percent of their annual income will hit the ringing registers during the time between Thanksgiving and the New Year, with the biggest push coming just ahead of Christmas Day.

Shoppers out around 8:30 a.m. Friday had strong feelings - positive and negative - about heading through the entrance doors on the busiest shopping day of the year.

Earline Gradnigo said she had been shopping since 6 a.m. to better "take advantage of the sales."

"I do this every year," she said. "They had some good deals."

Betty Pemberton, carrying five red boxes containing crystal bracelets, said the best bargains are usually available on Black Friday.

"Oh, definitely," she said. "It's the most fun day of the year to shop."

Carol Brandes first went shopping at 5 a.m., then headed home for breakfast and to pick up granddaughter Sanae Brandes, age 7.

"We always shop early, and we found what we wanted," Carol said.

She was helping Sanae shop for the girl's parents and brother.

"She has money," Carol said. "She has to go shopping, and she likes to go with Grammy."

But some shoppers avoid Black Friday shopping altogether, preferring instead to bypass the usually excessive crowds and wait until things slow down a bit.

"I don't shop the day after Thanksgiving," said Nina Means, who was carrying a box of shoes. "The only reason I'm here is to get these shoes to wear to Nutcracker tonight."

She said she steers clear of Black Friday sales, in part because she doesn't want "to get run over."

"I'd rather go and spend full price," she said. "It's not worth it at all."

Diane Saucedo said she hit the sales at 5 a.m. Friday, and got what she wanted.

But her shopping partner at 8:30 a.m., Ann Barnett, said Black Friday sales are not for her.

"I do not get up at 5 in the morning for anything except church, or to go visit family," she said. "Nothing the stores have is that important to me."