Early birds form lines of duty

With strategies down pat, many say the shopping excursion is as muchabout fun as it is aboutsaving money.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Retailers on busy U.S. Route 224 met head-on this morning crowds of eager bargain hunters willing to go without much sleep.
Before 6 a.m. every parking space in the lots of Wal-Mart, Big Kmart and Best Buy were taken. Some shoppers resorted to parking in the lots of neighboring businesses that opted not to open before the sun came up.
By 5:30 a.m., the front doors of the Big Kmart store on Route 224 held a steady stream of shoppers, going in with folded arms or hands in pockets to avoid the cold and coming out laden with large boxes and shopping carts full of potential gifts. Those fortunate enough to make it in and out of the store in good time were easily identifiable with filled cars and trunks that had to be roped down as they made their way down one of the township's busy corridors.
Repeat business
Boardman residents Krystyne Evans, Robert Comstock and Jim Evans may win the prize for the earliest shoppers. The three ate Thanksgiving dinner Thursday, hung out with family for a few minutes then headed out to the Best Buy parking lot at 10:45 p.m. There they camped with a heater, card table and snacks until the store opened at 6 a.m.
Krystyne Evans and Comstock also camped out at the store last year after Thanksgiving. They said the trip was well worth the effort last year -- netting them an array of discounted goods -- and they are looking to make it an annual tradition. The three got a little company just before 1 a.m. from other shoppers willing to wait.
A little farther back in the line -- formed around the parking lot before the store opened -- were Cheryl Pondillo and her family of four. Over the years, they have gotten day-after-Thanksgiving shopping down to a science. Each person is dropped off at a different store, depending on which store opens first, and a spot is saved in line at the next set location.
Despite the cold weather and long hours standing in line, the entire Pondillo clan managed to smile and joke with those closest in line to them. They say the shopping is fun and the savings make it worth the effort.
A sign of the season
Nadine Tozessa, a Best Buy employee, said perks like deferred financing and merchandise that is drastically reduced for a few hours only are what bring out the crowds. She said the long pre-opening lines are indicative of how the shopping season should go.
"I am glad to see that there does not seem to be a recession of people shopping here, not just today but everyday," she said. "You hate to see these people freezing out here like this, but it's nice that they come out and hope to buy their Christmas stuff."
The Kmart store was filled to "excuse me," "pardon me" and "may I slide through here?" room only.
Manager Bob Bowen was surrounded by a crowd at a cash register, collecting money from customers, giving orders over the phone and keeping an eye on lines that stretched up each aisle. He was too busy to assess if opening day was a success.
First-time day-after-Thanksgiving shopper Marva Johnson was in line at the store about 6 a.m. She said the lines were long, but the people were nice and respectful, making the overall experience good. She said the early morning may become routine for her.
jgoodwin@vindy.com