Area malls, stores packed with Black Friday shoppers
Area malls and stores were packed all day long with shoppers galore for Black Friday.
King of Prussia Mall was packed late Friday with holiday shoppers.
"We've been here since 9:30 this morning and we've been in teenage stores - we're finding good deals," said Barn Trentacoste.
"I'm getting some pretty good sales. I cleaned up in JC Penney's for my daughter.
She's 3 years old so we cleaned up in there. It's great," said Brittney Johnson.
A number of stores here were offering huge discounts on merchandise hoping to lure shoppers in to buy, buy, buy.
Some shoppers even came from afar to spend big bucks.
James Lukisy came all the way from Chicago.
"I spent almost $874 here - good deals but I'm not too happy about all the money I spent," said Lukisy.
Over in New Jersey, the Cherry Hill Mall was equally as packed with eager shoppers.
Many people began shopping when the mall opened 6:00 Thursday evening.
"The deals, saving money, getting everything done in one day - can't beat it," said Tiffany Butler.
Shoppers didn't waste time grabbing their wallets and hitting the stores for jewelry, clothing and more.
And because the stores opened earlier and for longer hours, the early concentrated rush of past years was redistributed over a longer period of time.
For some, that meant fewer lines.
"I've been able to get in and out - ti's wonderful," said Kristin Phalines.
The National Retail Federation predicted that $140 million shoppers would be out this holiday weekend, with a 4.1-percent increase over last year's sales for November and December.
In Cherry Hill, the mall seemed to be off to a strong start for the season.
"I think that right now consumer confidence is up, unemployment is down, gas prices are down, there is not threat of a government shutdown so I think all those are good indicators that this will be a strong holiday season," said Lisa Wolstromer, Senior Marketing Director.
The good news for those who may have missed the Black Friday rush, many major retailers are extending holiday deals rather than limiting them for just one day.
In Center City, the shoppers were plenteous as well.
"We are just in the city and its fun to walk around and get in the spirit. If we get some things - great. If we don't, it's just fun to walk around. It's better than the mall," said Carrie Coonin.
However, not everyone was ready to brave Walnut Street for the Black Friday deals.
"We didn't want to do the Black Friday stuff, we wanted to do something more fun and traditional," said Julie Sestrick.
Christmas Village in Love Park was packed and there was a long line for those buying Christmas decorations.
"It's less of the flashy, new stuff, more of the old wooden decorations - the traditional," said Kat Sestrick.
