The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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  • Black Friday shoppers line up outside the doors of Crossroads Mall hours before midnight. Chris Tilley

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November 24, 2012

Shopping season officially under way

By Wendy Holdren Register-Herald Reporter

BECKLEY — On your mark. Get set. Shop!

Black Friday marked the official start of the holiday shopping season, and hundreds of customers lined up to snag some bargains as the clock struck midnight at Crossroads Mall.

Some shoppers got an even earlier start at Walmart, as sales started there at 8 p.m. Thursday. Not an empty space could be found in the Beckley Walmart parking lot 30 minutes before the sales began; cars even spilled over into the lots in front of Grand Home Furnishings.

Hours later, exhausted shoppers filed out of the stores with their treasures piled high, while others came later to avoid the chaotic crowds.

Bailey Spurlock, a Shady Spring student, and her mom arrived at Crossroads Mall at 6 a.m. in time for the start of JC Penney’s Black Friday deals.

“It’s actually my first year (of Black Friday shopping),” Spurlock said.

The two said they stood in line for about an hour, but overall they were surprised with how calm the crowds were.

“We were just saying how friendly everybody was. We’re not from around here originally.”

The mother-daughter duo had a few JC Penney items in mind before they set out on their shopping adventure, and Bailey left the mall wearing some of her purchases.

They said they definitely plan on Black Friday shopping again next year.

Another family, from Mount Lookout, arrived at about 7 a.m. and hit JC Penney, Sears and Bath & Body Works.

The Shaffers, along with two little ones, said everyone was exhausted after four hours of shopping, but they were happy with the good deals they had found this year.

Even if you didn’t make it out for the Black Friday deals, shoppers are being asked to visit local stores today for Small Business Saturday, which strives to boost the local economy.

Cyber Monday is also coming up, promising lots of great online buys.

— E-mail: wholdren@register-herald.com

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