Shoppers out ’til last minute

Staff Writer

[email protected]

With a day left until Christmas, many shoppers felt the pressure Wednesday to pick up last-minute gifts.

Shortly after stores at North Plains Mall opened, shoppers poured in early to beat the crowds for Christmas Eve shopping.

Several shoppers at the mall early Wednesday said they were shopping mostly for clothing items as gifts.

“I’m here for some last-minute shopping,” said Robert Smith. “I just need to pick up some pajamas for my kids.”

Smith said although he got to the mall early “to get it over with” so he could spend the day with family, he said the crowds weren’t as bad as he expected.

“It will get crazy later on in the day,” said Cleo Romary, assistant manager of the Sears store at North Plains Mall.

Romary said she has worked every Christmas Eve for the last several years. She said they expect to see mostly people searching for last minute-stocking stuffers, last minute gifts and a few big items like tools and electronics. She said most of all they expect to see customers out shopping for clothing.

“After people wake up we will probably wind up with high traffic…” Romary said. “A whole lot of stuff should move out the door today.

“They say, what I’ve heard and understood, sales today are supposed to compare to black Friday. But I don't think so,” Romary said.