Black Friday shoppers cite bargains, traditions as reasons for shopping

There were a wide variety of reasons that brought shoppers out on Black Friday.

For some it symbolizes the start of the holiday shopping season or it can be the thrill of hunting for bargains on Christmas gifts or decorations, while others may enjoy the crowd and the festive feeling as they walk through aisle of Christmas items while listening to Christmas music. 

For Melissa Choate and her mom, Patricia Smith, Black Friday shopping is a tradition the mother/daughter have shared for about 15 years. The two spent Friday morning looking for bargains, while shopping for grandchildren at Walmart and Rural King.

Darryl DeLong decided he is getting to the age where it's time to take the busy days off work. He spent his day off finding three or four good bargains at Walmart, while shopping for Christmas decorations and a birthday present for himself since his birthday was on Thanksgiving. 

For others who were visiting Cambridge from out of town, Black Friday was the opportunity to check out some local businesses and the downtown area.

Mother and daughter Jena and Taylor Stump were in town from West Virginia to visit their daughter/sister who just recently moved to Cambridge. 

"We thought we would stop in and see a few stores while we are here and find some Christmas gifts," Jena said, while shopping in Country Bits.

Cambridge native Dave Wantz, who now lives in Wilmington, was lvisiting family members. "I grew up here and came back for the holiday and family and just needed to have something to kill time and wanted to come downtown and enjoy downtown,"

Jodey Dolan and Tressa Nicholson typically shop for bargains on Black Friday.

"We go out to the bazaars," Dolan said. "We just went out to Salt Fork who was having a bazaar and then we can in here (Country Bits). I like to just get out and see the different designs and what people come up with each year because it's not always the same." 

Sisters Angela Donnelly and Katie Farrar, along with Donnelly's children Alaina and Andrea, were spending some family time together, and hoping to start new traditions. 

"When we were kids we used to go with our mom to the mall and then for years we didn't go shopping," Donnelly said. "Now that we have families, we are going to try to start some new traditions."  

While the major box stores had full parking lots and a flurry of customers early in the morning hours, some of the smaller local stores didn't see a lot of activity until later in the day. 

Dee Kovacik, owner of Country Bits, said the morning foot traffic was a little slow but business picked up.  She said most people are at a mall or major retailers on Black Friday  and tend to visit the local stores on Small Business Saturday. 

Paige Moore, owner of Black Cat Vintage and one of the newer businesses in downtown Cambridge, said she had steady stream of customers through the store on Friday.