Friends make Black Friday shopping in Butler County about more than just finding deals
Shoppers did not let the cold or light snowfall stop them on Black Friday, lining up outside local businesses to get the best deals. But many were there for more than just saving money. Tradition and doing something fun with family were the driving forces to the day’s events.
It was still dark out when the Target in Cranberry Township opened its doors to a long line of shoppers waiting to take advantage of the specials the store had to offer. The line almost spanned length of the plaza, and everyone was wrapped up in coats to ward off the chill from the 31-degree temperature, but all seemed in good spirits and ready to make a day of shopping with friends and family.
Jennie Rowe made the trip from Ontario, Canada to spend the holiday with family in Pittsburgh. She, along with Hannah Trembulak and Madeline Ruzomerka, had shopping carts at the ready 10 minutes after the Target store opened.
“It’s just a tradition at this point,” said Trembulak. “We’re just really enjoying spending time together.”
Rowe was looking for baby clothes, while her friends were open to whatever they could find.
“Right now, we are just seeing what is out there,” said Ruzomerka.
Riley Fuchs drove from Evans City for his first try at Black Friday shopping and met his friend Gavin Pollock at the local Target. They made that their first stop but left empty-handed.
“Usually, there are a lot better deals,” said Pollock, “but stuff that I would get I haven’t seen really on sale.”
The duo planned on meeting up with friends at Ross Park Mall later in the day but had more stops to make first. Hope wasn’t lost in finding a deal locally.
“I really want to go to Best Buy and see what they have. Best Buy always has something,” said Pollock.
Couple Amanda and Gavin Reed, of Ford City, along with their friend Melissa Marree, from Slippery Rock, had a lot of stops planned.
“We’re going to go to Ulta, Home Goods and Hobby Lobby and wherever else,” said Amanda Reed.
The group wasn’t looking for any one item but were open to finding something unexpected.
“We’re trying to find some deals,” said Marree. “We aren’t looking for anything specific. We’ll find out when we get there.”
“Wherever the road takes us,” Gavin Reed said.
The scene at the Target, Walmart and Kohl’s in Butler Township mimicked that of Cranberry Township. The parking lots were busier than usual in the early part of the day, and shoppers strolled in and out of the store well before sunrise.
Kaitlyn Fleeger and Debbie Elliott, both of Chicora, were shopping at 5 a.m. While packing a griddle, television, Christmas tree and more into their vehicle outside the Walmart at Butler Crossing, they said they hadn’t encountered any lengthy lines.
In nearby Center Township, the Clearview Mall parking lot outside of Boscov’s and Rural King also featured vehicles lined up, signaling that shoppers were inside seeking out deals for the occasion.
Cranberry residents Julie Lemankiewicz, Cara Mike and Leigh Mulcahy had big plans for the day and made sure they were easily identifiable as a group with their matching Black Friday sweatshirts.
“We do this every year,” said Lemankiewicz, who brought her children along to help fill their lists. “We’re just looking for great deals, but, of course, the kids are here so I can get an idea of what they are looking for, too.”
The friend group planned on continuing their annual tradition by shopping throughout the day and will stay in the Cranberry area.
“We’ll be hitting American Eagle, Dicks and Ulta,” said Lemankiewicz. “It’s just a fun day, and we get to hang out while getting things done. What could be better?”
Eagle photographer Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.
