By mid-morning Friday, lines at most retail stores in Jefferson City had decreased and shoppers said they enjoyed a much calmer Black Friday than normal.
With more and more retail stores opening on Thanksgiving, instead of Friday morning, the Black Friday crowds seemed smaller this year. By 10 a.m., there were no lines outside of stores and the shopping seemed quiet and calm.
"I am amazed," said Carolyn Rackers, after shopping at Capital Mall on Friday morning. "We have not fought crowds anywhere. It's wonderful."
Linda Brandt, who was shopping with Rackers, said normally they don't mind fighting crowds to shop for good deals. But this year, they found themselves going to more stores than usual because of the sale prices and lack of crowds.
"I have found some good deals," Brandt said, showing a new jacket she purchased for $20 at Christoper & Banks. "I've been very pleased with the shopping today."
Rackers said even traffic and parking was easier Friday than in years past, making the day's shopping so enjoyable that the pair decided to continue on to more stores.
By 10 a.m. Friday, a steady stream of customers was coming in and out of Best Buy, but lines were kept to a minimum. Anthony DiRocco, sales manager at Best Buy, said the store actually saw more customers this year than in years past, though most people lined up Thursday for the store's opening at 4 p.m.
"Crowds have been huge this year," DiRocco said. "Definitely more than in previous years."
DiRocco said the line of people waiting for the store's opening on Thursday wrapped around the Planet Fitness location next door. But on Friday morning, the line waiting to get in was much smaller and, by mid-morning, there was no line to get in to Best Buy.
Don and Diane Eggen took advantage of the smaller crowds at Best Buy on Friday morning. Don Eggen said they came to purchase an iPad on sale, and while the couple usually shops on Black Friday, he said they try to wait until the early lines have dissipated.
Several store managers would not comment on Black Friday shopping, instead referring reporters to their corporate offices.