Shoppers descend on deals
The cold, snowy evening air didn’t deter shoppers from getting the best deals Thursday at Tanger Outlets in South Strabane Township.
Hundreds of people flocked to the outside shopping mall, with lines forming in front of stores like Coach and Michael Kors.
Some people, like Amber and Jonathan Ross, of Fayette County, altered their holiday meal to get to the outlets on time. They arrived shortly after 4 p.m. and were second in line for the Coach store.
“We left the house at about 2:30 p.m.,” Amber Ross said. “We ate at noon.”
The couple decided to turn their shopping endeavour into a date night. They left their four kids with their grandparents and booked a hotel room.
“We are hoping to get out of here and go to the casino,” Jonathan Ross said.
Reanna Meritt, of Monessen, also arrived early at the outlets. She said shopping on Black Friday and early in the evening on Thanksgiving has become a tradition. Tanger Outlets stores opened at 6 p.m. Thursday.
“Last year, it was 10 p.m.,” Meritt said. “6 p.m. is too early. I would prefer the later time so I have more time with family.”
Although she thought 6 p.m. was too early, she went out because she “couldn’t resist the deals.”
“I get wristlets for my kids’ teachers,” she said. “I get them for like $20.”
Emily and Martha Cade, of West Virginia, decided against a Thanksgiving meal altogether and went to the outlets instead. They were first in line at Michael Kors after they arrived at 2 p.m.
“We ate at the Waffle House,” Martha Cade said. “We don’t have a Michael Kors store or outlet near us.”
Emily Cade was looking for her perfect Christmas present, which her mother allows her to choose. She found a black purse with chain accents.
“We figured the lines would be much bigger,” Martha Cade said.
Lauren and Lisa Simpson, of North Hills, made the 30-minute trek to the outlets in hopes of finishing their Christmas shopping. Both women were thrilled the stores opened so early this year.
“We go out every year,” Lisa Simpson said. “We eat early around 2 p.m. because the boys go hunting.”
“It’s fine for us to go out now,” Lauren Simpson said. “Otherwise, we would be waiting around till midnight.”
The Simpsons hope to finish their shopping by 2 a.m. The outlets were just the first stop on their long list of stores.
“We have to go to Macy’s and Wal-Mart,” Lisa Simpson said. “I’m not looking forward to Wal-Mart.”
The parking lot quickly filled after 6 p.m., though staff members said they weren’t expecting to see a real rush until midnight when Black Friday officially began.
The Simpson women said they would also be shopping online as they went through the stores. They said Internet deals save them additional money and time. Nonetheless, they still enjoy their holiday shopping tradition.
“It’s the thrill of the hunt,” Lisa Simpson said.