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Shoppers Skip Thanksgiving Meal For Early “Gray Thursday” Deals

DICKSON CITY – While many families enjoyed their Thanksgiving feast inside their warm homes, hundreds of people spent the afternoon waiting outside in the cold ...
GrayFriday

DICKSON CITY – While many families enjoyed their Thanksgiving feast inside their warm homes, hundreds of people spent the afternoon waiting outside in the cold for “Gray Thursday” specials in Lackawanna County.

The National Retail Federation expects more than 26 million people to shop on Thanksgiving Day nationwide.

At the Best Buy in Scranton, Anthony Calabro told Newswatch 16 that he set up camp on Tuesday night to be the first person in line.

"What other family does this? This is our tradition. It's well worth it. I wouldn't want it any other way,” said Calabro.

The general manager at Best Buy said stores across the country are closing overnight because they are opening earlier then ever before on Thanksgiving Day.

“It’s an hour earlier, we are closing tonight. Last year we were open at 6 p.m. We were open straight through. Now were actually going to close at 1 a.m. and open tomorrow morning at 8 a.m,” said Eric McFarland. “Give our employees a chance to go home and rest a little bit.”

The Viewmont Mall opened at 6 p.m. which is two hours earlier then last Thanksgiving.

While many people told Newswatch 16 that they enjoyed seeing the stores open earlier, others said they boycotted “Gray Thursday” because it meant retail workers had less time with their families.

"I think its crazy. I think Thanksgiving should be a holiday and if you want to start Black Friday shopping, start it at 12:01 a.m. on Friday,” said Bill Fassanella.

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