FAIRMONT - Local shoppers spread holiday cheer Friday, as managers at two major department stores in Fairmont reported comparable or increased Black Friday sales from last year.
In their wake, customers left empty pegs, disordered shelves and exhausted, happy employees.
Tim Clements, store manager at Shopko, sounded slightly surprised as he spoke of the morning's business.
"It has been outstanding," he said, noting sales were up Friday compared to Black Friday 2007. "The shoppers have been in an upbeat mood. The staff said today has been a pleasant experience."
Clements said shoppers began lining up at around 4 a.m. - an hour prior to opening - in order to take advantage of the deals touted for early risers. Discounts on electronics were a big draw, he said, as well as on traditional toys, such as Lincoln Logs.
Michele Smith, manager at Wal-Mart, said sales were so good on some electronics they sold out of them early in the morning. Sales began there at 5 a.m., and it wasn't long before many of the shelves were empty.
"TVs were our biggest seller," she said. "We sold out of them very, very fast."
Smith said cameras and handheld games also were flying off the shelves as eager customers checked items off their lists.
Shoppers on the scene early Friday morning found long lines at all but Wal-Mart stores, which is open 24 hours, but as the day progressed, the lines at the checkouts subsided as regular customer traffic took over for the holiday frenzy.
K-Mart had similar success on Friday.
Black Friday, or the shopping day after Thanksgiving, is so named for the many retailers that finally become profitable, or "in the black," due to the start of the Christmas shopping season.
Despite the low expectations for the season overall, Friday marked a high point for local retailers.
"It has been a great day," said Clements.
