After turkey, early-bird shoppers savor sales galore

By AMANDA TONOLI

atonoli@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

The hustle and bustle of holiday shopping commenced just after many Thanksgiving Day dinners, bringing families and friends to the Boardman area in search of early Black Friday deals.

The controversial day of shopping comes with a plethora of purposes, much like a buffet-style turkey dinner. Cold congregations stood outside local stores waiting to be first for discounted electronics, toys, clothes and more.

A long line of moms, dads, aunts and uncles patiently waited in a cold drizzle to gain admission at 5 p.m. into Toys “R” Us, 317 Boardman Poland Road.

Within a 15-minute span of the opening., the crowd rushed in, got their gift and rushed out to move on to the next store for a night of spectacular shopping.

Krystal McMillan and her two kids, 8-year-old Maurice and 4-year-old Kya, all of Youngstown, braved the damp weather to get exactly what they want.

“I like the deals here,” McMillan said. “I usually get everything I need – I love it. I always come here.”

McMillan said she brings Kya and Maurice to pick out their toys for Christmas.

“I hate getting things I know they’re not going to play with so this way they get a look at what they want and I go from there,” she said.

Waylnn Ward, 19, of Youngstown, agreed, as far as deals go.

“I would not be here if there weren’t any deals,” he said, laughing.

Brenda Dawson, also of Youngstown, said Black Friday shopping is a whirlwind, but the deals make it perfect for “last-minute” – or just starting – Christmas present buying.

However, not all Black Friday participants enjoy the shopping-driven holiday.

Lindsay Bell, Ursuline High School sophomore, came with her best friend Maddie Durkin, South Range High School junior, to buy athletic gear at Dick’s Sporting Goods and said she was just along for the ride.

“I’m not into Black Friday,” Bell said. “I think it’s just too hectic.”

But Durkin said she’s been coming every year for the last four years and enjoys the deals.

Although new to Black Friday shopping, Dick’s Sporting Goods shoppers Andrea Correia and her daughter Caitlin, both of Austintown, have decided to make it an annual excursion.

“It’s our first time coming out shopping together on Black Friday and I guess we are just starting a little tradition for just us,” Andrea Correia said. “We’re not even really out for anything in particular.”

Jazmin Edwards of Charlotte, N.C., agreed, saying when she’s in town to visit her husband’s family she just loves “the feel” of going out with her two sons to shop for the holiday season.

“It’s about the enjoyment of getting out,” she said. “You’ve been at home all day. You’ve been eating turkey with the family. Just get out and go do something else and something different.”

Glenn Griswold, 16, of Canfield, said unlike many people, he’s learned to love both the deals and the feel of the Black Friday holiday.

“Every year we go – my mom and my two sisters,” he said. “I like both the deals and the time with my family. Deals are good and it’s the best time of the year” for them.

Despite ending up in Bath and Body Works for fragrances and lotions with his mom and sisters, Griswold said he doesn’t let the sweet smells sour his family time.