Darkness loomed in the sky on the early morning of Nov. 27 while shoppers and employees alike entered businesses taking part in Black Friday.

The unofficial American holiday known as “Black Friday” takes place every year on the day after Thanksgiving. This day is often observed as the symbolic start of the Christmas season, as well as one of the biggest shopping rushes of the year.
Hungry customers, ready to eat up the sale prices and free giftcard giveaways, filled the streets and establishments of Flagstaff.

Kay Hauser, an out-of-town shopper, said she and her daughters drove to Flagstaff to shop at the Flagstaff Mall because it was the closest town to their hometown.

“This is only our second time ever shopping on Black Friday,” Hauser said.
“Several years ago, I told myself I would never do it again; but this time, we were much smarter and did better. I will not do it every year, but I will come back for the sales.”

Hauser also said she spent about the same amount in her previous year at Black Friday, even with the declining economy.

People started lining up at Target beginning at 1 a.m. on Black Friday and by 3:30 a.m. the line stretched past the store. Shoppers stood in 20-degree weather until the store opened at 5 a.m. with drastic doorbuster discounts. Matt Beaty / The Lumberjack

Nick Baker, a Flagstaff resident, said he and his family’s spending declined rapidly within the past four years they participated in Black Friday. Baker also spent most of his day at the mall.

“There were good sales,” Nick said. “We were able to get some good stuff, a few rewards, but they weren’t really worth it. The experience was terrible, though — people fighting, screaming and acting like animals. It was really sad.”

All stores in the mall had opened by 4 a.m. Alena Ohumukini, a local Flagstaff resident and first-time Black Friday shopper, arrived at one of the stores at 2:30 a.m. for free giveaways.

“My cousins and I waited outside Anchor Blue and won a $5 gift card,” Ohumukini said. “There was a radio station doing a competition every 15 minutes with donated prizes.”

Journeys Shoes employee Steven Murillo said this year was his first Black Friday shift. Journeys, a shoe store located in the Flagstaff mall, had a one-day goal of $7,000, and Murillo said the store had almost reached that goal by 4 p.m.

“There was a family of girls who asked where I got my green beanie, went to Zumiez and walked by all wearing the hat,” Murillo said. “I’ll be helping five people at once, bring out 20 pairs of shoes just to make sure they all get what they want.”

Each store had its fair share of customers, and Murillo said he felt happy to be a contributing factor to his customers’ happiness and shopping experience.

“My shift was 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.,” Murillo said. “It’s a blast and I love it; a big thank you to the customers.”