Retail outlets – and shoppers – are leapfrogging Thanksgiving and getting an early jump on the Christmas shopping season by starting Black Friday early.
For the first time, every retail store at The Outlets at Orange is opening at 12:01 a.m. Friday. Last year, 17 stores in the outdoor mall opened at midnight – or earlier.
Blake Windal, the mall’s general manager, said retailers were enthused about opening early for Black Friday.
“They all wanted to open at midnight,” Windal said. “Many of them had been trying to open early for a long time.”
In all, there are about 100 stores in the outdoor mall.
“We’re the only Orange County center to be open at midnight,” Windal said.
The Old Navy store is getting a jump on other stores. The trendy clothing store will remain open through Thanksgiving and Friday, Windal said.
“They debated on closing early and re-opening on Thanksgiving,” he said. “But as of now, they’ll be open all day Thanksgiving and all day Black Friday.”
Additionally, Dave & Busters and Café Tu Tu Tango will open early and serve breakfast wraps to hungry shoppers, Windal said.
National retail electronics chain Best Buy is opening all of its stores – including the two in Orange – at midnight.
By 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, the location at 3741 W. Chapman Ave. had about 15 tents of customers waiting in line. Will Torres of Santa Ana was the first in line at the store at 3741 W. Chapman Ave. at 9 a.m. on Monday.
Torres, 21, said he and a friend will switch off camping out through the week when Torres goes to work at his job at an auto parts store.
“My boss thinks it’s crazy,” Torres said. “It’s worth it for a 42-inch TV for $200. I’m tired of the little TVs.”
Brandon Flora, a customer solutions manager at the Orange store, said customers arrived a couple of days earlier than in past years.
Flora said that advertising deals in advance could have contributed to the early rush of customers.
“Everyone is looking for a deal,” Flora said. “And we welcome them.”
Adan Zuniga, 20, and his three friends arrived outside the Orange store just before noon on Tuesday. Zuniga, who lives in Orange, said he and his friends plan on taking shifts to go eat with their families on Thanksgiving.
“And we’ll bring back some leftovers,” he said.
None of the campers were concerned about a forecast of rain for Thursday. “The rain is not going to stop you,” Zuniga said. “Maybe people will leave or just stay home.”
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