Macon Shoppers Search For Pre-Holiday Deals

It was freezing out tonight–but that didn’t stop shoppers from lining up nearly two days early, to be the first in the store on Black Friday. And believe it or not, the grocery store was packed too–all in preparation for tomorrow’s big feast.

The bitter cold blew in across the parking lot on thanksgiving eve–but that didn’t stop holiday shoppers from getting what they needed.

With the big meal looming, some last minute ingredients on the grocery list required that quick trip to Kroger.

“I’ve been out shopping for last minute thanksgiving dinner, I had to pick up a few things that I thought I had but I didn’t so I’m out here and I wasn’t planning on being out here tonight,” said Cherie Jolly, a customer.

“We’re fixing to go in here right now and grab us a little ham, with some collard greens, macaroni and cheese, probably chicken salad–you know, baby girl like chicken salad,” said Jeremy Lewis, another customer.

“We’re especially doing it tonight because we were actually supposed to have thanksgiving dinner tonight, but we’re running a little bit late so we had to stop by a grab some things for our macaroni and cheese and other things that we hadn’t gotten that we were supposed to have gotten earlier–like banana pudding–yes, like banana pudding,” said Carla and Davion Davison, customers.

Just across the way, Lance, Derek, and Charlie carried a different shopping list. They will brave the cold in preparation for Best Buy’s amazing Black Friday sales.

“I got a sleeping bag in the truck, a chair, pillow, and more clothes to wear. And we got a tent, so we’re going to make the best of it the best we can so. And more blankets too. And I got a grill with some charcoal–I can make a fire,” said Charlie Davis.

And with the temperature at about 36 degrees when I spoke with them, the thought of those smoking hot deals must be enough to keep them going.

Many retail stores will open earlier than they ever have on Thanksgiving night–all to draw customers to the big sale.

These stores include: Kmart: 6 a.m. Thursday to 11 p.m. Friday, Big Lots: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Dollar General: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Rite Aid: Most stores open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Walgreens: 8 a.m., CVS: 9 a.m., Old Navy: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday; 7 p.m. Thursday to 11:59 p.m. Friday, Michael’s: 4 p.m. Thursday to 2 a.m. Friday, Babies “R” Us: 5 p.m., Toys “R” Us: 5 p.m., Best Buy: 6 p.m., Sports Authority: 6 p.m., Walmart: 6 p.m., Dick’s Sporting Goods: 8 p.m., h.h.gregg: 8 p.m., J.C. Penney: 8 p.m. Thursday to 9 p.m. Friday, Kohl’s: 8 p.m., Macy’s: 8 p.m. Thursday to 10 p.m. Friday, Office Depot: 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., OfficeMax: 8 p.m., Sears: 8 p.m. Thursday to 10 p.m. Friday, Staples: 8 p.m. Thursday to 12 a.m. Friday, Target: 8 p.m. Thursday to 11 p.m. Friday.