Black Friday always a treat for area bargain hunters

Spencer Lindsay of Rochester gets a treat from JCPenney greeter Bonnie Sikora (Mrs. Claus) of Rochester on Friday at its Lilac Mall store. (Harrison Thorp photos)

ROCHESTER - Most city big box store managers reported Black Friday crowds at least equal to those of last year, but began recording those throngs of holiday shoppers at different times depending on the store chain.

Lilac Mall JCPenney Store Manager Jon Herrick said Black Friday sales were going very smoothly during the day on Friday after opening up the store to about 30 waiting customers at 8 a.m.

He said there was a solid rush to start the day, then it had been steady after that.

Around 1 p.m. the queue at the register was fluctuating between one and six and the checkout line was moving at a good pace.

Herrick said he was very happy with the way the store was functioning and that they’d put a lot of planning into the day.

“This year is starting out better; we put a lot more effort into it,” Herrick said.

He said women’s boots, outerwear, juniors apparel and appliances were the hot items on Friday.

The parking lot at Lilac Mall early Friday afternoon, about four-fifths full.

Meanwhile, Big Lots Manager Steve Ledoux said his store had about 20 folks waiting as they opened up around 6 a.m.

To promote Black Friday the store had given out tickets that could be redeemed for merchandise, Ledoux said. There was a $100 ticket and about 80 $5 tickets as well as other varying amounts.

He said after the rush, the customer flow had been steady throughout the day.

Ledoux said the store would be open extended hours beginning next Friday when it’ll be open till 11 p.m. every night through Christmas Eve.

A manager at Kohls who didn’t want to identify herself said they had begun Black Friday discounts at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving and they had been “busy” throughout the night and day.