Black Friday No More? Shoppers Already Hitting the Stores

It’s still Thursday, but Black Friday is already here.

JC Penney was one of the first stores to open on Black Friday, opening its doors at 3 pm. That early start did not keep shoppers from coming out in full force once the doors opened.
 
The flood gates opened this afternoon. Let the hunt for gifts commence.
 
Fargo resident Keith Taralson is on a mission. “Jewelry. Some clothes. I do a little shopping for myself,” he says.
 
JC Penney employees at West Acres Mall were prepared for the rush.
 
“Virtually all of them are working today, and usually on any given Saturday we might have 25-30 percent of our associate population,” says General Manager David Spinks.
 
The rush came. In the case of Sharlean Phillips, it came from as far away as Winnipeg.
 
She says, “There’s some crazy awesome deals.”
 
“Just savings throughout the store,” adds Spinks.
 
Phillips says, “I bought some towels, a triple slow cooker, and some headphones for my son.”
 
JC Penney tried to lure people in with the chance to win coupons up to $500.
 
Taralson walked away with ten dollars. “I’m ready to go,” he says.
 
Discounts alone have shoppers prepared to spend big.
 
Taralson has plans to spend, “anywhere from $300 to maybe $700.”
 
Not even a weak exchange rate can’t keep folks like Phillips from hopping the border with a credit card in hand.
 
Phillips says, “Even with the exchange rate being what it is it’s still worth it to come down and get some of the really good deals that are being offered.”
 
This is the first year the store opened at 3 pm. No matter when doors open, managers say Black Friday is a unique experience.
 
“It’s very electric,” Spinks says. “People are coming out with their families, excited about deals. Much different environment than any other day of the year.”
 
Just because the doors opened early doesn’t mean the sales will end soon, at least at JC Penney. The store will stay open throughout the night until 10 pm on Friday.