WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderEarly Lines for Black Friday Shoppers

Early Lines for Black Friday Shoppers

By Inggrid Yonata

ROCKFORD - When stores like Best Buy were still several hours away from opening for Black Friday shoppers were already waiting outside.

These people consider themselves to be true bargain hunters.  Some of them have been saving up all year long, and they're ready to splurge. "A few laptops, maybe a couple cameras, and a playstation," said Lisa Young, the first one in line.  She and her fiancee, Chad Zeman, had been bundled up in front of Best Buy since noon on Thursday. 

Young said she reads to pass her time as they wait along with dozens others in the bitter cold.  Zeman said they "Just bring a lot of blankets.  Our family brings us hot cocoa, and we've got seven layers of clothes on."

Chris Lenninger camped out at Best Buy at 2:00pm on Thursday.  Lenninger said he had "a couple laptops, DVD's, powerbox, and a space heater" inside his full-size tent. It's his 5th Black Friday storefront sleepover.  While some plan to buy gadgets for their families, it's strictly business for Lenninger.  He plans to "buy them and then resell them. Make a couple hundred bucks on each one."

Some people may think they're crazy to wait 16 hours in the bitter cold, but Zeman and Young say it's fun.  The shoppers did notice fewer people are waiting in line this year.  Some blame it on the economic crunch.

In Huntley, the Prime Outlets Mall opened early with hundreds of people waiting outside. They opened at midnight and the first 500 people in line got a gift bag with a free pair of pajamas.

This is the second year Huntley's Prime Outlets opened for midnight shopping.