Black Friday shoppers flock to Butler County stores for early morning deals
A line wrapped around Target in Butler Commons prior to 6 a.m. on Friday morning, Nov. 28, while others stood at the doors of nearby Walmart and Lowe’s in hopes of finding some short-lived, post-Thanksgiving sales.
Similar scenes unfolded across Butler County all morning long as stores opened for Black Friday traditions.
At 5 a.m., a crowd gathered for special coupons offered at Kohl's at both Butler and Cranberry Townships, and at 7 a.m., Five Below was one of the spots to shop. Boscov’s and Rural King at the Clearview Mall would draw crowds, too.
“There was a line of 100 some people waiting to get in at 7 a.m.,” said Toys for Tots coordinator Matt Thurner, who had a view of Five Below’s Butler Township entrance where he was collecting gifts in the parking lot. “There’s been a steady flow of people. When some come out, the same amount are going in.”
He and his wife, Kathryn Thurner, hoped to collect enough toys to “stuff a bus” before the crowds receded.
“Every child deserves to have a toy to open up on Christmas,” Thurner said. “It’s better to give than receive.”
Some shoppers gave donations while others returned from their Five Below shopping to donate one of their purchases for the cause.
A group from Boyers were among those who stopped by Thurner’s bus on Friday morning.
Amanda Blauser, Kate Homison and Haley Meszaros exited the toy store with a cart and bags overflowing with Christmas gifts. The trio, for about a decade, has aimed to complete all their Christmas shopping on Black Friday.
This year, young Lainey Meszaros came along, too. Nestled inside a stroller and blanket to shield from the cold, the baby seemed happy to be part of the tradition.
The group had began shopping at 4:30 a.m. and were exiting Five Below at about 8:30 a.m. They were happy for the Squishmallows they found at the store, especially when they realized there was a promotion on the stuffed toys.
Asked about what the early morning experience was like, the three responded in unison: “Cold.”
In Cranberry Township, stores’ parking lots were completely filled from early in the morning through 10 a.m. At places like Dick’s, Target and Kohl’s, customers repeatedly said the Black Friday crowds were not as big as they once were.
National news headlines have recently pointed out how Black Friday crowds may not be as large and hectic as they were years ago due to factors like less deals and online shopping taking hold.
However, others in Cranberry stores said they encountered long lines and jammed store aisles.
“I think the crowds have been pretty decent today. Some of the stores are more crowded than others. Target was busier than Kohl’s,” said Kim Shuler outside of Target. “There were people everywhere, yelling.”
While some shoppers rolled out of Target with a new TV or computer, others focused on holiday decor as Thanksgiving passes and Christmas approaches. Customers ranged from college kids back in town with their friends, to parents and grandparents looking for new clothes with their children and grandchildren.
Some had to pull their cars up to the front of the stores, as employees helped them load overflowing carts into the vehicle.
Others were less intense about their shopping sprees.
“It’s been busy. I just like to look around, see if there’s anything that I find and might like,” Diana Lapsinski said. “Because when you get to my age — I’m, 65 — you pretty much have everything.”
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Clara Mergen, left, and Jenn Johnson look at toys during early morning Black Friday shopping at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Butler on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Summer Slater spends time with her niece Lily Smith during early morning Black Friday shopping at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Butler on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Claire Toth looks at some of the bargain bin items during early morning Black Friday shopping at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Butler on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Customers bought several televisions during early morning Black Friday shopping at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Butler on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Wyatt Miller, 11, shows his grandpa Ken Uhlam and remote car during early morning Black Friday shopping at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Butler on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Shoppers browse the isles during early morning Black Friday shopping at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Butler on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Yvonne Graham rings customers up while wearing a festive hat during early morning Black Friday shopping at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Butler on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Sidney Dombroski and her son Maverick, 11 months, look at toys during early morning Black Friday shopping at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Butler on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Sidney Dombroski and her son Maverick, 11 months, look at toys during early morning Black Friday shopping at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Butler on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Shoppers grab carts as they funnel into the store during early morning Black Friday shopping at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Butler on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Hillary Potter decides on which set to get during early morning Black Friday shopping at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Butler on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Shoppers grab carts as they funnel into the store during early morning Black Friday shopping at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Butler on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Shoppers browse the isles during early morning Black Friday shopping at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Butler on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Ella Rice, 8, looks at some of the dolls during early morning Black Friday shopping at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Butler on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Helana Young, lmiddle eft, hugs Stephanie Snow during early morning Black Friday shopping at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Butler on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Justin Zarnick loads a television into his cart during early morning Black Friday shopping at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Butler on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Yvonne Graham rings customers up while wearing a festive hat during early morning Black Friday shopping at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Butler on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Shoppers grab carts as they funnel into the store during early morning Black Friday shopping at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Butler on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Kimberly Cravenor, middle, looks at Christmas décor during early morning Black Friday shopping at Wal-Mart Supercenter in Butler on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
At Walmart in Butler Commons, Justin Zarnick found a television, and Sidney Dombroski and her 11-month-old son Maverick, were looking at the toy section.
Many among the early morning crowd at Walmart showed up with coffee in hand.
Coffee is what Jenna Koebler said she had in mind, too, after missing both the 5 a.m. promotion at Kohl's and the 6 a.m. chance to win an appliance at Lowe’s.
She stopped for an iced coffee at McDonald’s before venturing to Boscov’s, where she left with her arms full of Christmas gifts.
“I didn’t get all the deals I wanted, but I do it for the fun,” Koebler said, “and I definitely got a lot of my Christmas shopping done.”
