Crucians lined up way before dawn to get bargains on Black Friday at Sunny Isle shopping center, proving that when it comes to Christmas shopping, St. Croix is no different than the rest of the U.S.
Reneice Murrain, who works at Radio Shack, said at 4 a.m. people lined the sidewalk from Radio Shack to the cinema for the opening of the store at 5 a.m. to buy laptop computers, cameras and phones.
“We have had an excellent day with outstanding sales,” said Michael Laguer, manager at Kmart. He was not able to compare sales to last year but he said they were well stocked and ready for the “Friday Wakeup” sale that ran from 6 to 11 a.m.
“Flat screen TVs were flying off the shelves,” Laguer said. He was looking forward to a very strong weekend.
Verna Blackman, a clerk at the Kmart service desk, said they had all of the registers open, but there were lines all the way back through the clothing aisles at 10 a.m.
Shoppers at Kmart, if they were buying energy efficient appliances, had the option of applying immediately for 30 percent rebates. Near Kmart’s appliance annex, Leila Muller of the V.I. Energy Office was validating purchases and processing applications for the rebates. She was there as part of a fair called “Your Simulus Dollars at Work” sponsored by the Energy Office, the Water and Power Authority, the Department of Labor and Department of Education. Also at the fair were six vendors of alternative energy systems which are eligible for 50 percent rebates with funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
At OfficeMax, the specials drove the business Friday, said store manger John Tust. They had dazzling deals on laptops, cameras, camcorders, computers and printers.
“We had a lot of staffing of salespeople prepared to be busy,” Tust said. “We were ready and well stocked with high demand tech products.”
Kathy Bennett, owner of Undercover Books in Gallows Bay, said Black Friday was a record day with fantastic sales.
“Oh wow — it was an excellent day,” Bennett said. “We were rockin’.”
At the “Catz” Fifth Avenue boutique at the Animal Welfare Center, flea market mavens were picking up new and barely worn designer merchandise for under $10. There were boxes of brand new womens’ Sperry Topsider shoes for $8 and piles of men’s Tommy Bahama shorts with tags still on them for $8.
“I really like the fact that every dollar I spend here goes to a great charity,” Dama Boodhoo said. “If I blow some money on accessories and clothes it’s OK because it goes to the best charity on the island.”
Shoppers looked to be in the holiday spirit all around the island.
“I always come out shopping on Black Friday,” said Jacquelin Dyer, with a big smile. “I love it!”