Area shoppers bag Black Friday deals
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Holiday shopping got off to a good start for many the day after Thanksgiving, with many stores at the Aroostook Centre Mall and throughout the community opening early and offering big discounts and deals on a variety of merchandise, from televisions to toys, bedding to boots.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
TECHNOLOGY factored into Black Friday shopping for many customers, as pictured here. Unlike many of her counterparts at the Aroostook Centre Mall who used cell phones to call or text friends and family about where the best deals could be found, Bonnie Murphy, of Centerville, N.B., and her shopping crew used radios to relay bargain details.
“This is our best Black Friday ever. There were lines of people outside at 4 a.m.,” said Patti Crooks, mall manager. “We had a steady flow of customers throughout the day.” – Patti Crooks, mall manager.
Galen Wedberg, of Caribou, made the trip early.
“I got to the mall around 6:30 a.m.,” said Wedberg, carrying several bags as he made his way through the mall.
For some customers, shopping the day after Thanksgiving takes on a festive air, with several friends and/or family members making the trek to visit local merchants to see what types of deals can be had. With the growing use of technology, shoppers could be seen throughout the mall phone, texting or using radios to communicate where the best deals could be found.
Staff writer/Kathy McCarty
THE OLDE RUSTIC ATTIC was filled with holiday cheer, as shoppers checked out the many home decor items in the store. Pictured at checkout from left are store owner Steve Reynolds and customer Sue Graves, of Presque Isle.
Bonnie Murphy, of Centerville, New Brunswick, was one such shopper.
“It’s a yearly event for us,” said Murphy, talking about her friends and family who venture from Canada in search of bargains. “We come with radios and a game plan, complete with lists. We each have a list and divide up to cover more territory.”
Murphy said she and three others traveled across the border in one vehicle, meeting two others at the mall.
“We come over with at least one truck, to carry the bigger items. We’ve found some very good deals,” said Murphy. “We’re impressed with the exchange rate and the great deals.”
This marked the fourth year her group has used radios to relay messages.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
GRACE CARR, of Orrington, made the trip to The County to spend Thanksgiving with family in Bridgewater and do a little Christmas shopping. Here she models a possible Christmas purchase for herself.
“This way we can split up and cover more ground. We do lists. Some do electronics, others shop for toys or tools. We went to Wal-Mart first for some big items, then moved on to the mall,” said Murphy, as she perused the merchandise at Bath and Body.
Brandie Underhill and Marylee Phillips, also ventured over from Centerville.
“This is our second year doing this. We’re finding some deals. We get the big-ticket items cheaper here,” said Phillips, as she and Underhill finished shopping at Sears.
Sue Graves, of Presque Isle, said its a family tradition for she and her daughter.
“We do it for the fun. My daughter got me up at 3 a.m. We began shopping at 4 a.m.,” said Graves.
The kickoff to the shopping season found Graves and others in a festive mood.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
GALEN WEDBERG, of Caribou, is pictured weighted down by purchases made at the mall on Black Friday.
“It’s a fun atmosphere. Last year we hit the stores around 5:30 a.m. We save a lot of money, got some great deals and had fun in the process,” said Graves, as she waited to purchase Christmas decorations at The Olde Rustic Attic.
Store owner Steve Reynolds said shopping traffic at Rustic Attic was pretty steady.
“We tend to find people go to the stores for big-ticket specials first, then visit stores like ours as the day progresses. Business is good the day after Thanksgiving,” said Reynolds.
Grace Carr, of Orrington, traveled up to Aroostook County to spend time with family on Thanksgiving and get a little shopping done as well.
“It’s not safe to shop in Bangor this time of year,” said Carr. “I’m originally from Bridgewater and come home for the holiday. Three of us came out to shop. We started at Wal-Mart at 4 a.m.”
She admitted this wasn’t something she’d do often.
“Thank goodness this is only once a year. It’s hard getting up at 3:30 a.m.,” said Carr.
Crooks said mall stores were busy throughout the day, with lines forming both outside before doors opened and inside as shoppers waited to pay for merchandise.
“Staples had over 100 people in line at 6 a.m. There were steady lines in stores like Olympia Sports and Bath and Body,” she said. “Tim Hortons had a steady line, as did Koko’s, which served breakfast. They had all the tables filled with customers stopping for breakfast. That was new this year.”
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
A GOOD EXCHANGE RATE found many a Canadian shopper in the Star City looking for Black Friday deals. Pictured visiting from Centerville, N.B., from left are: Marylee Phillips and Brandie Underhill.
This year’s event was dedicated to a long-time mall employee.
“We’ve dedicated the decor and Christmas spirit to Galen Doody, who worked at the mall for many years,” said Crooks.
Crooks said she and her retailers were pleased with the turnout this year.
“We’ve seen a lot of happy faces of all ages. Who doesn’t like a bargain?” said Crooks.
Despite the economy, Crooks said customers seemed to be doing more Black Friday shopping than they did last year.
“I think people are tired of waiting for the economy to turn around. They want to get past that and enjoy the holidays again,” said Crooks.
Festivities will continue at the mall through the holidays, with appearances by Santa and Fireman Fred. For more information, contact 764-2616.
REMINISCENT OF CHRISTMAS PAST — What looked like a scene from Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” was actually a local Amish family’s buggy parked outside Sears at the Aroostook Centre Mall — one of vast variety of vehicles used to carry home bargains on Black Friday.
