Shoppers out in force
for ‘Black Friday’
By Jeff Hansel
jhansel@postbulletin.com
Derek Roadway of Rochester stood patiently in 26-degree weather near the west door of Macy’s waiting for his shot at "Black Friday."
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His 4:30 a.m. mission?
A diamond bracelet for his girlfriend that was advertised for Black Friday, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season and typically the day retailers go from being in the red to being profitable, or in the black.
"She texted me last night, but I told her I wasn’t going to get it," Roadway said.
As early as 3:30 a.m., hundreds were lined up outside Apache Mall.
Roadway normally works the 4 a.m. shift at Target, so getting to Macy’s in time for doors to open didn’t faze him. He was up at midnight and stayed up all night going through newspaper advertisements in preparation for today.
The crowd on the other side of the mall made him nervous, but he was first in line at Macy’s, which opened later.
"I went over to Herberger’s and it was an absolute zoo," said Janna Kjome of Rochester. That store opened at 4 a.m.
"They actually let us in a few minutes early, and they kind of just rushed for the door," Kjome said.
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By 4:30 a.m., Courtney Hazen of Wanamingo and Melissa Robertson of Lake City had already power-shopped at Herberger’s.
"We got everything we wanted," Hazen said.
"And then some," Robertson said.
"You just have to know what you want and where it is," Hazen said. Already in their shopping bags were a comforter, knife set and some digital gizmos.
Over at Macy’s, a store manager opened the doors at 5 a.m. and Roadway was first in.
Seconds later, he had found the desired bracelet.
Why stay up all night and stand in the freezing cold to be first in line?
"You just care that much," he said. "That’s what it all comes down to."
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Page A3: It’s a fun time for retailers
