'It's a tradition': Black Friday far from dead in the Valley
Nov. 24—Sure, you can shop online.
But Black Friday shoppers who got up early and frequented local stores say it's about carrying on tradition, being together, having fun and eyeing that sale merchandise up close.
Terre Haute retail establishments reported early morning rushes, busy parking lots and steady business as the day progressed.
Among those enjoying the day-after-Thanksgiving shopping extravaganza were Curt, Danna and Hunter Johnson of Brazil, who were checking out merchandise and bargains at Academy Sports.
"We do it every year. It's kind of a family tradition," Curt Johnson said.
Does he enjoy it?
"It's good. You get out and kind of see some of the deals going on," he said. The family was up at 5:15 a.m. and started shopping at Meijer, then made their way to Rural King, Kohl's, Men's Warehouse and Academy Sports, all before 10 a.m.
Curt has, well, kind of a support role in the endeavor. "I'm the driver," he said. "They tell me where to go and I drive."
These days, the crowds aren't quite what they used to be before online shopping gained in popularity. That's okay with him.
Danna Johnson said she kind of misses being in line and "being the first to get whatever the big item was."
Son Hunter, 18, an Indiana State University student, said of Black Friday shopping, "It's a little tiring, but I enjoy it a lot."
He's already provided his family with his Christmas list. He likes to hunt and found items to his liking at Sports Academy and Rural King.
About 50 people were waiting outside when Sports Academy opened at 5 a.m., and plenty of cars packed the parking lot.
"We had a big rush this morning and since then, it's been more than steady," James Denny, store logistics manager, said about 10 a.m.
Popular sale items included gun safes, game tables, bicycles and basketball goals; buying online and picking items up at the store "have been heavy all morning as well," Denny said.
Meanwhile, at Haute City Center, J.C. Penney store manager Katherine Dyar reported that about 120 people were standing in line when the door opened at 5 a.m.
"They were all very friendly. I told them we were giving away some money this morning and coupons," she said.
One of the items randomly distributed was a coupon for $500 as well as two coupons for $100 each.
She told the winners to "raise your hand and look for Frosty." Dyar wore a Frosty the Snowman sweater.
At 1 p.m. Friday, the store planned to give out a diamond necklace and 20 "Yes, Please!" bracelets — and another $500 coupon. At 5 p.m., the store planned to give out two more $500 coupons.
Popular sale items included bedding and small electrics, such as griddles, Dyar said. "Pretty much everything is a Black Friday deal."
Pam Price and her sister, Paula Padgett, both of Clinton, were among a line of Penney's shoppers waiting to check out. Price had a bag full of items she planned to buy as Christmas gifts.
"It a tradition. I like the brick and mortar," she said. They started at 5 a.m. at Kohl's, which was busy but "not too bad."
They also made a Starbuck's stop. "We had to get our traditional coffee," she said. They anticipated shopping until about noon.
Padgett said it's not just about shopping for Christmas presents. "We get to spend some time together," she said.
At another checkout line — about 30 people long — Barbie Henderson of Terre Haute and 15-year-old daughter Erin took advantage of Black Friday deals.
Barbie Henderson had an armful of items and was grateful to fellow shopper Anita Ave for letting Henderson temporarily store one of her items in Ave's cart as they waited in line.
Henderson said when she was a child, her family always went shopping on the day after Thanksgiving. "It was always exciting to get up early in the morning and go shopping," she said.
The lines don't bother her. "It's to be expected," she said. So far, she had bought clothes, jewelry and a blender.
At Haute City Center, "Traffic has been steady," Kim Ingalsbe, mall general manager, said mid-morning.
"People come out with their families. We've had a lot of groups that have matching shirts," Ingalsbe said. "I think it's something fun for people to do and I think people enjoy being back together," especially after the pandemic-era isolation.
One store especially busy, as usual during the holidays, was Bath and Body Works, which was the first stop for Amanda Oswell and daughters Elliza, 16, and Astra, 12. They came from the community of Freedom in Owen County.
"I'm shopping with my girls," Oswell said. "We like the in-person experience and the family time and bonding."
She likes to see the merchandise, and at Bath and Body Works, that includes smelling the varied scents of the hand soaps, body wash, lotion and candles.
After the mall, they planned to check out Plato's Closet and Old Navy.
Just outside Bath and Body Works, an exhausted Molly Williams, age 12 — who had pulled an all-nighter — rested on a bench with her mom, Rachel.
"It's our first Black Friday," said Rachel Williams, a Vigo County School Corp. media specialist.
So far, it was a successful shopping venture. "I wish we would have done this forever ago," Rachel Williams said. She found it a little sad, however, as she recalled the days when the mall was much busier.
They planned to start shopping at 5 a.m., so Molly's strategy was to stay up all night, while Rachel went to bed early.
Molly did point out plenty of items she hopes to find under the Christmas tree.
Also at the mall, Holly Bailey of Sullivan, her sister, her daughter, and daughter-in-law wore matching shirts as they shopped.
The green T-shirts read, "Out here looking like a snack," featuring a human-like Christmas tree snack cake on the front. They get matching shirts every year.
They had already been to Walmart, Menards and Academy Sports.
While they were doing plenty of shopping, it's also about "being together," Bailey said.
Said Bailey's daughter, Allie Mangram, "We love it. It's fun to be all together."
Sue Loughlin can be reached at 812-231-4235 or at sue.loughlin@tribstar.com Follow Sue on Twitter @TribStarSue
