By Jennifer Tangeman
Despite trying economic times, Logansport locals continued to be consumers this Black Friday, store managers say.
Jeff Stevens, operations manager at the Logansport Home Depot, said that while crowds were comparable to years past, he did not witness an increase in the number of folks shopping early Friday morning.
“It seemed as though they were watching what they spent,” Stevens said. “Instead of coming in and looking around, they knew what they wanted when they came in and they were not buying a lot of extras.”
J.C. Penney manager Pat Kerns said the local department store also saw a crowd early Friday morning, but not as large as last year.
“I would have to assume the economy has something to do with it,” Kerns said. “With so many people laid off around here I would think it is a determining factor.
“No one has specifically told me that, but common sense would dictate I guess.”
Stevens said Home Depot opened its doors at 6 a.m. Friday for door-buster specials. The most popular item, he said, was a 16-gallon Shopvac on sale for $19.88, regularly priced at $70. Another desired sale item was a cordless drill on sale for $99, or $100 less than the normal price.
Customers were shopping before sunrise at J.C. Penney in the Logansport Mall. Kerns said the store opened at 4 a.m. with an array of early-morning specials.
“We had so many door busters and some really good deals,” she said.
Kerns said customers come annually to the Black Friday sale for a free Mickey Mouse snow globe.
Kathy Ingmire, manager of The Gallery Home Furnishings, said locally-owned businesses seemed to have a successful day as well. Ingmire said while the store was only open during its normal operating hours, the store was busier than normal.
“We had quite a busy day,” Ingmire said. “We had quite a few things going on and it has shown in the traffic that has come through the store.”
The manager said the store featured sales on entertainment centers, accessories, comforters and sofas.
Although Black Friday reportedly ran smoothly in Logansport, trouble ensued with crowds throughout the nation.
Indianapolis police were brought to the Castleton Toys “R” Us store after fighting broke out about midnight as people lined up in the parking lot looking to buy this year’s hottest holiday toy. Officers were called to calm the Black Friday crowd that was looking to buy the robotic hamsters known as Zhu Zhu Pets.
Walmart stores in New York reported an injury-free Black Friday, one year after a security guard was crushed to death by a stampede of shoppers. A Walmart store near Los Angeles, though, had to close its doors for several hours before dawn after some Black Friday shoppers began fighting over bargain merchandise. Police were called to the scene but reported no injuries and no arrests.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
