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Local businesses report booming sales on year’s busiest shopping day

Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch

MICHIGAN CITY - Black Friday this year was nothing like some store managers feared.

Even though the U.S. economy is the most troubled it's been in decades, it looks like it might be a green Christmas after all, judging by the turnout in area stores.

Christine Juricic, general manager of Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets, 601 Wabash St., said Black Friday, when stores open at midnight to kick off the holiday season, is the busiest shopping day of the year. Long lines of cars waited to get into the outlet mall before midnight, and parking lots were jam-packed throughout the day.

"We're certainly grateful it's a beautiful weekend," Juricic said. "I would say it's seasonably cold, but beautiful and sunny, inviting customers to shop."

Crocs store manager Jim Boothby said he was a bit apprehensive, thinking the economy might have a Scrooge-like effect on holiday sales.

"It's been extremely busy," Boothby said, "and I'm extremely happy with the results."

He said the store's offer of "buy one pair, get half off another pair of selected styles" has been popular. Shoppers have been snapping up the fleece-lined "mammoth style" Crocs, which Boothby compares to a pair of house slippers, but only better because you can walk the dog or get the mail in them.

Erin Sullivan, Grand Beach, Mich., was out shopping without her kids. She said she had a game plan for stores to visit and was making the rounds.

At Brooks Brothers, business was brisk. Store manager Erinn Connelly said she, too, was apprehensive about this year's shopping season, but was pleasantly surprised.

"It's phenomenal, better than last year," Connelly said. "They say there's a recession, but we're not feeling it here."

She called the customers "educated" about deals, going online to get coupons and showing up with a shopping game plan. Brooks Brothers offered 20 percent off purchases from midnight to noon Friday, and customers were lined up outside the doors before midnight.

Connelly said business was steady after the initial burst. She had bottled water to offer customers.

"It's all about customer service," Connelly said.

Jon Cleaton, assistant manager of KB Toys, said it was "pretty crazy" and apologized for the unkempt condition of the store. He said many store customers were from Chicago and Michigan. Hot items this year were Fisher Price toys for toddlers, Hannah Montana guitars and keyboards, as well as video games.

"The sales today are different than those on Saturday and Sunday," he said. "We want people to come back to the store."

Marquette Mall was less crowded by mid-afternoon.

Diane Benus, Portage, counted on a more peaceful shopping atmosphere in Michigan City.

"I come over here because it's less crowded than Southlake Mall (in Merrillville)," Benus said as she carried two bags full of half-priced items purchased for her nephews.

By mid-afternoon, Christmas shopping had tapered off at Meijer, where shoppers were coming out with mostly grocery items. A woman with a young boy riding in her shopping cart said her bags were full of groceries, adding she didn't have money for Christmas.

Betty Bond and her daughter, Dawn Lonske, both of New Buffalo, Mich., were headed into Meijer at about 3:30 p.m. They'd arrived at Super Wal-Mart just before 5 a.m. and were surprised to see people already shopping. Lonske only bought a pair of jeans. But the women enjoyed their shopping experiences at Lowe's and Menard's.

"There were good buys, excellent prices and excellent service," Bond said, adding the price factor was important with the current economy.

Lonske said, "The prices bring you in, and the service brings you back."

They also hit Marquette Mall and made time to have breakfast and a late lunch.

"We've been here all day," Bond said.

Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com

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Marquette Mall was less crowded by mid-afternoon.

Saturday afternoon at 4pm Marquette Mall was absolutely dead. I'll bet there weren't even a dozen people in the aisles between Sears and Penneys. Scary!

CCLD