In Post-Holiday Tradition, Shoppers Fill Stores
Gisele Krippner went shopping Friday for a big open house she’s planning for Christmas.
Christmas 1998, that is.
“I’ve got paper plates and cups and napkins and ornaments and cards,” the Deer Park homemaker said as she hoisted $70 in post-Christmas decorations out of Mark’s Hallmark at NorthTown Mall.
“I do this every year to save money.”
With just 364 shopping days before next Christmas, throngs of people left warm homes before sunrise to line up in the cold for day-after bargains.
Spokane merchants slashed prices to get shoppers into a buying mood and clear out a yearend inventory of merchandise.
Packed parking lots and overworked clerks turned Christmas cheer into tears for some shoppers.
But with many people sauntering through a four-day weekend, timing for the day-after shopping spree seemed right.
“I’ve been working retail for 14 years, and I’m still amazed that people get up to do this,” said Target manager Rick Hartman.
About 300 eager shoppers greeted Hartman at 7 a.m. when he opened the doors of the Valley store.
At the Spokane Valley Mall, motorized elves popped out of gift boxes as shopper Bob Marty of St. Maries took a lunch break from an all-day shopping expedition. Marty said he “tagged along with my wife” to exchange a Dooney & Bourke purse at The Bon and look over sale items.
“If we come across something we like, we’ll buy it,” he said.
Ribbons, wrapping paper, candles and other holiday goodies vanished from shelves early. By midday, a second wave of shoppers arrived with eggnog-stained receipts, bearing gifts to return in wrinkled bags.
Jerry and Debbie Patten of Spokane entered Kmart on North Division with duplicate sets of Legos, Batman and Lost World dinosaurs that Jack, 7, and Hannah, 3, found under the Christmas tree.
A cheery Kmart greeter herded the Pattens into a special chute for people seeking refunds or exchanges. A few minutes later, the couple emerged with some cash and wisdom for the kids.
“You’re getting too many presents at Christmas,” Jerry Patten said with a smile.
Jack shook his head in strong disagreement.
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