Black Thursday? More Stores Opening Earlier For Shoppers

By Justin Foss, Reporter

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By Justin Foss

Story Created: Nov 26, 2009 at 5:30 PM CST

Story Updated: Nov 26, 2009 at 7:28 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - There's nothing like the relaxing sound of cash registers, or at least that's what shoppers like Kelli Boyle of Cedar Rapids were thinking on Thanksgiving Day.

"I needed to get out of the house," said Boyle.

With two kids sleeping and a husband napping after a turkey feast, she ventured out.

"That's why I had to leave, because I was restless," said Boyle.

She wasn't alone. This isn't the first year stores have thrown-aside the craze of Black Friday in order to make sales on Thanksgiving Thursday. Kmart did it a few years ago, so did Walmart.

But this is the first year for Old Navy.

"Everybody is really busy and time is precious for them, so if we can give them some time to buy and shop, so that's what we're trying to do," said District Manager for Iowa Deb Leichsening.

Melanie Mackey hadn't shopped on turkey-day until this year.

"Our dad kicked us out of the house cause he wanted to nap and we wanted to shop, so we saw Old Navy and said score," said Mackey, who drove in from Center Point.

The National Retail Federation expects holiday sales to drop one percent this year, making stores get more competitive. That's just another reason Old Navy is opening earlier than usual on Friday, at 3 instead of the usual 5.

It's a move that seems to be attracting shoppers they wouldn't have otherwise.

"There's nothing I need here, by because its not crowded and there's nothing better to do than shop," said Boyle.

Also, TGI Fridays opened up on Thanksgiving for the first time ever. The President of the company said 2009 was the worst in his 27 years.

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