Black Friday shopping frenzy

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Thousands of shoppers across the country got a head start on their holiday shopping Thanksgiving night.

Major stores and outlets advertised black Friday deals to begin on Thursday, and hundreds across the Gulf Coast took them up on the offers.

Beverly Townser says she was in line to get into Belk by 8 p.m. She said she has been waiting with her daughter, who wanted to get a pair of boots; however the store doesn’t open until midnight.

“It is crazy,” she said. “This is crazy. I hope its worth it.”

Hundreds more stood in line with the two.

Around the Bel Air mall property, many more shoppers waited in separate lines to hit up their favorite department stores.

The first family in line at Toys-R-Us said they had been waiting since 1:30 p.m. Thursday and were looking to get some hot ticket toys for Christmas.

“People just think you know, ok I’m just going to get a really good deal out of this. I think it's just that rush,” said Townser.

Most stores, including Target and Toys-R-Us are expecting to stay open straight through until 11 o’clock Friday night.