Black Friday comes early

Shoppers' turkey might still be digesting when they line up for Black Friday sales this year.

Many stores are scaling back their starting times for big holiday savings, and will be opening their doors at midnight on Friday instead of at 3, 4 or 5 a.m.

"That was the feedback we'd received from our guests. It was just something consumers were telling us they wanted," said Adam Tait with Target in Coeur d'Alene.

All store employees will be manning the aisles when the store opens at midnight, instead of last year's 4 a.m.

There's a chance the new time could garner more crowds, Tait said.

"To be honest, we're not sure," he said. "We're planning to do what we did last year, with the same programs in place. Hopefully the crowds will be just as big, if not bigger than last year."

Other stores with midnight openings include Kohl's, Walmart, Best Buy and Shopko.

Amanda Nicholson of Rathdrum, shopping at Target on Monday, said the midnight starting gate is upsetting her Black Friday tradition.

"I'm mad about it," Nicholson said. "Now I don't get to sleep a few hours. I have to go straight from Thanksgiving."

But it's not stopping her, she added.

"I really just go for the thrill," she said, adding that she pores over ads and maps out her shopping route. "I just go for it."

Brandie Chapman, shopping for holiday decorations, said she regrets that she'll be out of town this weekend, as the midnight openings finally make the big sales day appealing.

"We go to movies at midnight. We could go shopping at midnight," the Hayden woman said.

For those who need a little shuteye between Thanksgiving dinner and a shopping frenzy, plenty of other stores will be sticking with the traditional wee hour openings.

K-Mart's big sale is scheduled from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m., and Cabela's 5-hour sale will last from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. Big 5 Sporting Goods will be open from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. Home Depot and Lowe's will also open at 5. Sears will be open from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Fred Meyer's sale will last from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m., with free doughnuts and coffee offered.

Rick Gridley, Big 5 spokesman, said that though some stores will be opening earlier, Big 5 aims at extending hours on the other end so folks can still find deals in the afternoon.

"That means certain people do have an opportunity, if they're tuckered out from Best Buy at midnight, to have some breakfast, take a nap, and still come to our store," he said. "I hope it's a strong day for us and all retail."

Most stores are offering deals on DVDs, clothing, toys and appliances.

Some highlights include Shopko offering 75 percent off fine jewelry. The store will also be selling 32-inch Coby LCD TVs for $199.99, marked down $230.

Sears is offering 50 percent off Kenmore washers at $469.99, and the same deal for Kenmore dryers at $499.99.

Cabela's will have the Quantum Tour Edition casting reel on sale for $99.99, and will offer the Champion 3,500-watt generator for $299.

Target will have an $85 Amazon Kindle Keyboard and a $157 Acer Netbook.

Fred Meyer is offering video and games and accessories for 20 percent off and up to 60 percent off men's clothes.

Jerry Branscum, visiting Coeur d'Alene from Bonners Ferry, said his family will be shopping for a TV as part of their Black Friday shopping.

"My wife tells me to," Branscum said of what brings him out each year.

They prepare with coffee, he said, and try to accept the crowds and the frustration of hunting down items.

"I don't know if it's worth it," Branscum said with a chuckle. "But it's something to do."