Holiday Shoppers Line Up To Save At Sawgrass Mills Mall
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SUNRISE (CBSMiami) -- Doorbusters, sales and numbers aplenty -- 20-30-40-50-60 percent off.
It's enough to make Marilyn Sandler leave a delicious Thanksgiving meal.
"I want to go shopping and get the bargains," Marilyn Sandler said. "Are you kidding me?"
Sawgrass Mills Mall is open 27-and-a-half continuous hours until 9:30 pm on Friday. And for many, shopping is now as synonymous with Thanksgiving as turkey and stuffing.
"It's just a new tradition and it's fun," said Madgie Nelson, visiting from Alabama.
Shoppers waited for hours to get deals at Tory Burch, Coach, Brandsmart and most other stores you can think of.
"I kind of like the rush of everybody fighting for stuff," said a laughing Nikki Hoang. "It makes me energized."
Shoppers did stay civilized.
"I feel like it brings out the madness in people but that's the most fun part about it," said Vivi Nguyen.
What's clear is that families are eating their turkey dinners earlier and earlier these days. Diane Wilson ate at noon. She said she's got the best of both worlds -- lots of leftovers and lots of bargains. She says thanksgiving shopping is now a communal event.
"This is part of the family," Wilson said. "Bring your kids. Bring your family and come and enjoy it."
A few stores closed their doors, giving employees the day off. But the majority -- like Bloomingdale's were open and counting on a big start to the holiday shopping season. Sawgrass Mills Vice President Luanne Lenberg says it's all about the bottom line.
"Our customers vote at the cash register and those cash registers are ringing," Lenberg said.
And ringing and ringing. And that's music to everyone's ears.
"Especially with the way the world is now," Sandler said. "We're not afraid. We're going out. We're going shopping."