It looks like some shoppers had an extra helping of turkey.
Black Friday crowds were somewhat more subdued and their frenzy was a little restrained as area shops rolled out their inventory on the biggest shopping day of the year.
Midnight openings of some stores helped reduced crowds and provided walking room at Queens shopping centers and malls. Some shoppers even characterized their Black Friday experience as calm and relaxing.
At a Target in College Point, the short lines surprised and delighted Michael Meyn of Bayside, who was looking to get a jump on his Christmas shopping.
“The crowd was not as heavy as I thought it was going to be, we kind of cruised in and cruised out,” said Meyn. “It’s actually busier on a regular Sunday than it is today.”
That sentiment was echoed by Colleen Walsh of Flushing, who went to P.C. Richard in College Point looking for deals on flat screen televisions.
“I expected massive craziness, and I am quite pleased because it’s not as chaotic as I thought,” said Walsh. “I see it as any regular Sunday; it’s not like Black Friday craziness.”
While craziness among shoppers was down, some merchants turned up the insanity meter with their store hours. Queens Center Mall in Elmhurst opened at midnight on Friday – a full four hours earlier than they did last year.
This strategy helped to spread the crowds out over a few hours and alleviate some of the crush, according to New York & Company manager, Latoya Tillery.
“We have more people than last year, but since we opened at midnight, they seem to be spread out,” said Tillery.
Tillery said the main draw for customers on Black Friday is the deals, many of which are for one day only.
“A lot of where they go has to do with promotions,” she said. “The customer is going to shop where the sale is.”
Store officials at the mall’s Aeropostale agreed that traffic seemed to be up from last year. One of only two stores in the mall boasting a line out the door, the other being The Disney Store, Aeropostale claimed their savings promotions were the best the mall had to offer.
At least one shopper agreed with that boast. Walking from the store carrying four Aeropostale bags, Jenni Rafella of Ozone Park said that if not for the bargains, she would be sleeping.
“I’m here strictly for the bargains, and they [Aeropostale] have the best,” said Rafella. “We have new additions to the family this year, so I need bargains wherever I can get them.”
Bargain hunting also assists those still hurting from the nation’s injured economy. With many bank accounts still in recovery, Black Friday deals can help those feeling the pinch in their pocket.
“I’m buying for my family but spending much less because of pay cuts,” said Barbara Celona. “The holidays are about more than just presents, but you want to have something to give because presents make it fun.” –With Additional reporting by Jesse Leon
