CLINTON —
Crowds of shoppers shoveled down Thanksgiving dinner early to snag a spot and get guaranteed big deals.
Wal-Mart and Target started their sales at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Thursday, luring crowds in to take advantage of big door-buster deals. Shoppers continued bargain hunting through the night, arriving at stores that opened in the early morning hours.
While some thrift seekers got in line as early as 2 p.m. Thursday, many were none to thrilled about the earlier sale times and felt that it cast a dark shadow over the celebratory holiday.
“I’d much rather do 5 a.m. on Friday,” Todd Manon of Albany, Ill., said, who got in line at Target at 4:15 p.m. Thursday. “It’s starting to take over Thanksgiving.”
Despite the reluctance to rush holiday plans, many lined up around 5:30 p.m or earlier at Target. A significant line began to form around 7:30 p.m. and meandered around the side of the building and around the back around 8:30 p.m. and multiplied until the store opened its doors. Once inside, the true test of endurance and patience occurred as shoppers fought for deals and proceeded to the never-ending check-out line.
The influx of customers rushing through the store in hopes of snatching a good deal compelled staff to bulk security in new ways — hiring Clinton police officers.
“This is the first time it’s been done on this scale, with officers assisting with crowd control inside the store,” Clinton Police Sgt. Steven Kopp said.
The officers were hired by some of the stores on Clinton’s west end including Wal-Mart and Target from 8 p.m. Thursday to 8 a.m. Friday in order to protect employees, customers and the deeply discounted merchandise that drew the large crowds.
According to Kopp, no arrestable incidents were reported during the busy night.
Down the street at Paul’s Discount Store, doors opened at 5 a.m. to a rush of customers. From the time the store opened until 9 a.m. customers were given a golden dollar for every $10. The store also offered enticing giveaways from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m., such as tablets and TVs.
“Black Friday’s going just fine,” store manager Don McKinley said. “We’re as busy as we expected.”
McKinley said the crowd looked like it was thinning out around 11:30 a.m., but stayed steady with customers seeking low priced Christmas decorations, tools and other hot items.
The local Sears store opened at 4 a.m. Friday instead of the 8 p.m. Thursday opening that the chain had advertised.
“We wanted to let our customers enjoy Thanksgiving,” Store Manager Darrick Bickford said.
Appliances, televisions and tools were flying out the door during the early hours Friday morning.
“We were busier than last year,” Bickford said. “I think more people are aware that we are here and we have more of a reputation in the area.”
Top News
Related Photos
-
Customers Bryan Calhoun (left) and Julie Wilson are helped by Browns Shoe Fit Company owner Steve Blackburn on Friday afternoon. Samantha Pidde/Clinton Herald
Discussion
Shoppers crowd local stores Friday
- Top News
-
-
City forced to cut $1.1M from budget
CLINTON -- The city of Clinton is scrambling to cut more than $1.1 million from next year's budget because of a settlement that was reached between the Clinton Board of Review and Archer Daniels Midland. As part of a settlement that ADM and the Cli
-
Clinton County magistrates to be appointed
The meeting of the Clinton County Judicial Magistrates Nominating Commission is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. May 23.
-
Railport: Clinton, CRDC work on future process
CLINTON — With the first rail-served tenants moving in, officials with the city of Clinton, McClure Engineering and the Clinton Regional Development Corp. met Tuesday to discuss the future of the Lincolnway Railport.
-
Feces contaminates 58 percent of public swimming pools
Human feces taints more than half of public swimming pools, a finding U.S. health officials are using to urge better personal hygiene as the summer months approach.
- Krumpets will be moving to Fulton FULTON, Ill. — A Clinton restaurant will be moving into the old Corner Treasures & Treats building at 1016 Fourth St. in Fulton. Charles Dykstra, of the Fulton Retail Development Group, made the announcement during the Fulton City Council meeting thi
-
Out of the shadows: E/P boys seek their own recognition
CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Duplicating what their counterparts on the girls team did last weekend at Eastern Illinois is a difficult assignment for the athletes on the Erie/Prophetstown boys track team.
- Proposal to write off sewer debt moves forward CLINTON — The city finance director will have the ongoing authority to write off sewer bills from finalled accounts as long as the balance is under $10, members of the Internal Operations Committee decided Tuesday. City Finance Director and interim C
-
Residents come home to pick up the pieces
MOORE, Okla. (AP) -- With her son holding her elbow, Colleen Arvin walked up her driveway to what was left of her house for 40 years. It was the 83-year-old grandmother's first time back at her home since a monstrous and deadly tornado ravaged her ne
-
10 Things to Know for Wednesday
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.
-
Iowa lawmakers look to end legislative session
Iowa lawmakers are expected back in the state Capitol on Wednesday and legislative leaders say they are close to concluding the 2013 session.
- More Top News Headlines
-
