BlackFridayWatch.com

It’s over. I’m finished. I can go home and wash the stink of unashamed capitalist consumption and materialism from my person.

Was it really that bad? Unfortunately, yes it was. As the day wore on I found myself and my posts becoming more and more cynical, sneering, and contemptuous. I did, in many ways enjoy myself. I’m an observer by nature, so I welcomed this opportunity to focus on a subject and find nuance where I might otherwise have seen only the surface. I got to see a part of American life that, by choice, I steer clear of. That part of the day was, indeed, enjoyable.
The disappointing and, in the end, sad part was what I actually observed. I think I had hoped to find some sort of redemptive qualities to contradict the stereotype that I had developed in my mind for the common participant in this consumer culture of ours. I was looking for good intentions in an institution where I see no good at all. At best, I saw passive participants who really didn’t care what they drove home with. At worst, I saw aggressive, ferocious self-interest and greed manifested for all to see in my common man. Most seemed to fall somewhere in between.
I didn’t intend my various blogs and postings to serve as a condemnation of the average consumer, but when it all comes out in the wash, that’s what they amount to. I’m not about to take a self-righteous stance here and put myself above it all either. We are all guilty as charged. Young and old, rich and poor. We live in a material world and acquisition has become our holly activity of choice. This need to consume is all-encompassing and all-pervasive. Even the most militant among us can’t fully escape its’ grasp.
The truly sad part of it all to me is that we seem resigned to accept it as our fate. It is so easy in the modern world to chase after and acquire everything we want to spite everything we need. It’s encouraged in all of us from birth, from day one. Advertising, education, peers, parents; They all point us in the same direction. Possession is synonymous with success. The Beatles were wrong, money can buy you and everyone around you love. We love and celebrate the rich, we marginalize and try to forget about the poor. We read self-help books and spend countless hours trying to improve our self-worth and self-image while millions suffer due to nothing more than popular ignorance. An ignorance imposed on all of us by those who have too much and want more.
In the end, I think that sums it up for all of us. We all have too much and want more. We’re full up and still hungry. We have more than enough while too many have nothing.

Posted by Ryan Waters at 10:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I experienced my first Black Friday in a large mall when I was eleven, and since then, have made a point of remaining at home on the day after Thanksgiving. Today was a very welcome change from that tradition, for many reasons.

Today I was a spectator to the best and worst in consumer behavior. I watched a little girl hug her new doll with absolute joy as her weary mother, who has traveled many miles to accomplish this purchase, looked on. I watched a teenager loudly berate her mother for not getting into a store fast enough to buy her a flat-screen television. I saw complete strangers offer each other neighborly advice on the best brands to buy and where to get the best deals on them. I saw people stand outside in freezing darkness and nearly trample each other in order to save some money on gifts.

The Holidays bring out the best and worst in us. We want to give wonderful presents to the people we love, but the gift-giving often becomes more competitive than benevolent, negating the entire purpose of exchanging presents. We place a monetary value on our love for those close to us, when we should simply be grateful that they are there. It is fascinating, then, to be in the middle of the biggest day of holiday shopping, and to be able to see the dichotomies of attitudes in the consumers: “I’ll buy an expensive computer to prove my love for my daughter,” a father thinks, and even pats himself on the back for being in the store when the doors open at the crack of dawn. In reality, no matter how much he tries to convince himself otherwise, he’s most likely there at the crack of dawn because that is when the prices are lowest. Were he really putting his daughter before his wallet, he would be spending those early hours with her rather than in the store.

Before I departed Princeton for New York, I learned that one of my closest friends had died during the night, around the time that I was getting up to go to Wal-Mart. No gift that anyone purchased for him today will matter now. What does matter was the time that he shared with the people who loved him. That, ultimately, was the way he knew he was in our hearts. And so, dear reader, as I sign off on this exhausting day, let me wish you the most wonderful of Holiday seasons, and to give you this humble suggestion: Cut some time from your shopping schedule to just be with the people you love. In the long run, that time will matter much more than any other gift you can give.

Posted by Jena Tesse Fox at 09:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Heading back towards Penn Station, I wandered through an insanely crowded Times Square, where every shopper in the city seemed to have gathered.

And may I humbly suggest that those in the city for Holiday shopping catch a show while they're here?

Posted by Jena Tesse Fox at 09:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Bart doesn't run after midnight. Think about that one for a second. It's not just a matter of hassling out who the designated driver's going to be, you can't so much as go to a late movie and feel safe you're going to catch the last train across the Bay. And if you miss the last train, it's the TransBay Express (a sort-of-hourly bus) for you.

That said, I want to be a Bart driver when I grow up. I think the time has come to acknowledge our informative and amiable Bart conductors. Today I was especially attuned to how the drivers always announced the upcoming stop and the next stop and always leaned out of the window, at least creating the impression if nothing else that they're keeping an eye on their passengers.

Here's to you men and women of the Bay Area Rapid Transit District...

Posted by Matthew Margolin at 09:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Obviously, the lack of a nap was making me cranky...okay, crankier than usual. I headed back down into the Powell Street Bart station.

Well. I guess I'm not the only one ready to head back home.

Posted by Matthew Margolin at 09:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Well, look at the time! My how time flies when you're trying to post a required number of blogs in the allotted time. Sure made for an exciting day, however.

For today I'd purchased a 24 hour T-Mobile pass, and I must say it worked flawlessly. My HP Pavilion zt3000 laptop's batteries held up well, with the occasional powered blog. Never got below 50% battery. My Merrill shoes kept me comfy in all my walking. My Fuji S7000 camera did an admirable job, save for chewing up its batteries before 5am. It all flowed rather well, taking the media card out of the camera, putting it in the card reader attached to my pc, then prepping the pics, and posting.

I hope you've enjoyed the blogs from Seattle.

Over and OUT!!!

Posted by Steve Schaeffer at 08:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Back on Market Street, I floundered around in Old Navy. This time I spoke to a woman who said she was the "Old Navy Market Street general manager." I add the skepticism here because (despite her being accommodating and friendly) everything else this person said was about how this was The Best Day Ever!

She didn't even acknowledge that it rained this morning...and like every other person I spoke to, no, I could not take a picture...meh.

Posted by Matthew Margolin at 08:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

What would a Seattle blog be without passing by another great Seattle export. This was Frasier's city for many years, and he had a killer view of downtown. it's a well known viewpoint in Seattle.

Here's where his condo would be:

and the requisite, exquisite view:

I thought I heard Daphne in the crowd around here, but didn't see her. Speaking of which, I'm daffy right now. I basically didn't take much of a break today, running all over town, taking pics, writing, posting. It's a great way to see the city and meet people, but it makes for a long day. I need a comfortable recliner.

Perhaps I'll go to a furniture store and ask if there was any sales today. I've been too busy to notice.

Posted by Steve Schaeffer at 08:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I stood in line for H & M for a while. These folks told me (I'm pretty sure I'm the only one in the world who didn't know this) that this store just opened in San Francisco two weeks ago, and it's "big in New York."

Then I made my way back to Market Street. And it was not easy sledding those couple blocks because there were more people than the sidewalks could handle. I don't know. For the most part everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

I'll point out that I kept my eyes open for protesters, but I gave up after the second time my attention focused on a picket that turned out to say something like, "Follow Me For Savings!"

Posted by Matthew Margolin at 08:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This store was the big winner on Union Square. While there was no waiting to get into Macy's, Rasputin's, or the Mac Store, this place had a line of people happily waiting and shuffling along in a line as long as a city block.

Posted by Matthew Margolin at 08:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I’m writing this one from another Starbucks, but not just any Starbucks, I’m at numero uno Starbucks, right here in the Pike Place Market.

It’s a small store, no seating room at all, just a fairly narrow lane, filled with eager shoppers. There’s a good reason it’s small. This premier store opened in 1971, and they were just a coffee bean wholesaler. People came in, tried the beans, bought them, and left. No coffee was brewed here. Back then wireless meant that your phone wasn’t tapped. I see a broad international crowd in here.

There are lots of well known companies that got their start in Seattle. REI began here, and their flagship store is a must see event. I just walked past Sur La Table, a very busy place on Black Friday.

UPS got their start here many moons ago shortly after the turn of the century. Microsoft is rooted in nearby Redmond. Bill Gates and Paul Allen have had a huge affect on Seattle’s geography. Located in an old art deco hospital lies the Amazon.com complex, which overlooks Boeing field. I think the USA’s biggest export is Boeing airplanes. Not your typical gift item, but what a way to carpool.

I spoke with several shoestores, and they said business was as normal, as shoes are not typically purchased as a gift for others, and BF is normally associated with gift buying.

The Pike Place Market itself was booming.

Vendors said it was more of a typical busy Friday, nothing extraordinary for a BF. This place may seem touristy, but it’s always been a place for serious business. The vendors pay high rent for their spaces and need to sell their products. There’s a large and colorful lane of flower arrangements to walk by. There’s the produce stands,

and of course, there’s the seafood. We get a lot of sea creatures from Alaska, as Seattle has always been a big portal to the great Alaskan wilderness.

Posted by Steve Schaeffer at 08:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

On one hand, the uncompleted Bart tunnels made a cameo in the film THX1138 and the rapid transit district does have a useful site, but a round trip ticket to San Francisco from across the Bay is more than US$5.

At the Disney Store in Union Square, I spoke to a greeter about the day. He said that all in all it was a fine day. Essentially, his attitude was that it definitely beat digging ditches, but mostly he had to restack the plush toys. It made him wonder if the store stacked the toys precariously on purpose, so you knock one over, then it has your attention, then you buy it.

Fair enough, I said. I noticed another greeter paying very close attention to what we were talking about while pretending not to.

It's only my second day, he said.

Posted by Matthew Margolin at 08:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This afternoon I took a trip to the West Bay (also known as "San Francisco") on Bay Area Rapid Transit (or BART). I went to Union Square, saw some extraordinarily cheerful shoppers, visited stores, talked with empoyees and managers ("no, you can't take a picture in here") -- all under the most pleasant, crisp autumnal weather.

...but people still complained about the rain this morning. By the way, according to the National Weather Service we had light rain and temperatures around sixty. According to me, it rained for about an hour around nine. Don't get me wrong: I'm no hero. Rain's a natural disaster's how I see it

Posted by Matthew Margolin at 08:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This day is coming to an end at least for me and my equipment.

I am on the same juice as my laptop and both sets of camera batteries. We are all just about out of power.

This has been a real neat experience….all good. It has been interesting to observe and report on the shoppers in the Chicago area and to read the accounts throughout the country. Especially the nuttiness that occurred at the break of day. The gonzo shoppers will get their items, period. Stay out of their way and you may see tomorrow.

If the shoppers of the world united, a true superpower would be developed. There is a science fiction story idea.

It is around 6:30 p.m. here and I am still viewing the streets from the second floor of Borders on State Street in Chicago. The people continue to be out in mass and enjoying the shopping and scenes. The coating of snow has created quite a holiday feel. Is this a holiday card moment? Maybe, but I think that I am more delirious than sentimental at this point.

I saw a report recently, actually more than once, that the average shopper in the United States will spend around $466. This is $10 lower than last year’s estimate. I don’t know about that figure. I saw some shoppers spend that much money with one arm tied behind their back today.

A day like this is good for the economy, that is the Black in Black Friday.

Enough of this babbling.

Happy Holidays everyone and to the best New Year yet!

Posted by Bill Paige at 08:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Thanks for spending the day with me as I journeyed around taking in the action and lack of action on Black Friday Santa Monica Style...

Having done a bit of research ahead of time, I discovered that most of the big holiday events in Santa Monica take place next weekend, charity shopping events, bazaars, special walks, lighting ceremonies and Santa sightings will be December 2-4. I wish I could have brought you some of that today but the good news is, you could come here still and see it for yourself.

I have now experienced Black Friday from every side - 15 years of retail (Nordstrom, Pottery Barn and The Limited), many years as a shopper, a few years watching it on tv from the comfort and distance of a ski lodge and now I have been involved in chronicling this great American Sporting Event.

I hope everyone has a very happy holiday season!!!

Cheers,
Margot

PS The Volk Family just called to say that their tree was delivered (see posting from before Thanksgiving) and it looks perfect in the livingroom!

Posted by Margot Stewart at 07:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

These Elves have the holiday glow

Posted by Bill Paige at 07:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The sun has set in Nashville. But from inside a mall one would never know. Stepping outside, cars and people continue to arrive. The customers that were earlier “just looking,” now, have slightly heavier loads to carry. Where there once was just a purse or an empty hand, now hangs a bag or two. The spirit of Black Friday continues in Music City with a strong, steady beat.

Posted by Brent D. Wineinger at 07:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

After a nap, necessary but luxurious as well, I was back out in the shopping world. WHAT A CHANGE three hours made!

But I am not really surprised...

Santa Monica is a tourist destination for people from throughout the world, it is also a shopping destination right here within Los Angeles. I think that the early bird shoppers probably all drove to the Valley for those great specials and that is why we didn't see them here in the morning.

Now all the tourists and shoppers are out in force, so much so, it was hard to get a really good picture of the sheer volume of people out there. But this give some perspective.

Getting online this afternoon proved a bit more challenging...the hot spots were still there but the first Starbucks was completely full of people and had a line that snaked out into Barnes & Noble (they don't allow pictures, I tried to sneak one but couldn't do it.)

The next Starbucks had removed all of its tables to accomodate the burgeoning crowds, I decided to join the group and waited on line for ten minutes for a coffee. Numerous people walked in, saw the line and left. I had hoped to eavesdrop on my fellow line standers but the Indian family behind me and the Japanese girls in front of me spoke entirely in their native tongues. It was fun to be part of such an international crowd but I have no idea what they were talking about...except at one point one of the men in the group behind me quipped in mid-conversation, "Wax on, Wax off..." which was mysterious until I got online (FINALLY NOW) and discovered that Pat Morioko (sp?) from Karate Kid had passed away.

Fully caffinated I made my way into the crowds again.

Passing through the crowds I took in a few of the sights in Santa Monica.

Posted by Margot Stewart at 07:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I am a bit removed from the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree. It became a bit overwhelming for everyone in the crowd.

As usual, there were thousands of shoppers that converged on Daley Plaza and beyond to see the lighting of the tree. It seemed this year that as more people gathered the snow fell harder. There were various choirs and speakers on the stage before the lights went on.

The warm-up went on and on and on. There was a very good choir of 9 to 13 year olds performing, but the crowd was ready for the lighting. By the time they started their third and final Christmas song, the crowd was chanting “Light the Tree, Light the Tree,” Enough song and dance they wanted illumination.

Only moments later, Mayor Daley said a few seasons greeting and well wishes and lit the tree along with the Mayor and other dignitaries from Nurnburg, Germany.

This was followed by a small fireworks display.

As I am writing this a mature gentleman next to me is asking what I am doing. He saw pictures of the tree and figured I was down there.

I asked him if he was too. He said that he came out here to go down there but wasn’t going to stand out in the snow. He was too old for that and had seen many many trees lit in his day. He questioned why he comes on this day every year. He stated that his family usually drags him downtown somewhat willingly.

It is warm inside and with a window view you can see just about everything anyhow.

Posted by Bill Paige at 07:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

As Bill noted down thread it has started to snow steadily here in Chicago. Fortunately, the snow gods timed it just right as our Black Friday comes to a close here.

I gently rode my bike back home, following in car tracks when possible, avoiding slippery manhole covers and steel grates as needed. Now I just need to defrost and dry out. The fact that I can feel my toes is encouraging.

This has been a wonderful experiment and I feel fortunate to have been part of it. More than anything it's been amazing to see different faces of Chicago as the day has progressed. It all seems like a blur now - in fact it's hard to believe that over 13 hours ago I was making my way downtown in the predawn light not knowing what to expect. The views, the people, and the experiences I've had in this single day remind me that Chicagoans are a lucky bunch. Our city is incredible.

I've watched Black Friday Watch grow over the past 12 hours to include over 200 entries and I can't wait to read through them all. I hope all the other bloggers had as much fun as I did.

Posted by Will Revis at 07:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A view from the second floor of Borders overlooking State and Randolph and Marshall Field's in the background with the countless shoppers following the story of Cinderella in the store's widows.

Posted by Bill Paige at 07:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Fireworks followed the Lighting of the tree. No the Picasso statue is not on fire.

Posted by Bill Paige at 06:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Official Christmas Tree of Chicago Has Light

Posted by Bill Paige at 06:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

John Paige and Jan Metzger enjoy a break on the second floor of Borders in the cafe where they are seated at the window overlooking State and Randolph.

Posted by Bill Paige at 06:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Strolling down Fifth Avenue, the brightly lit windows beckon like sirens to the weary pedestrians. And this is only between 57th and 52nd! Whatever your taste, there's something on Fifth Avenue to grab your attention...

Fendi:

Disney:

(Why don't they ever have Cinderella's pre-princess dresses? Shouldn't she remember her roots?)

Brooks Brothers:

DeBeers:

Gap:

Posted by Jena Tesse Fox at 06:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It held off most of the day, but not the evening. As soon as the sun started to go down the snow started to fall. Flurries at first and then a steady fall.

Tis the season right.

The snow sure adds to the festive feel. However, it is also a nuisance and now my feet are cold and everything is getting wet.

Posted by Bill Paige at 06:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I chose to take a walk around Ballard after lunch.

It’s got two main streets, one more turn of the century, the other more ‘50’s type of single row storefronts. Ballard represents the Seattle many of us know and love from years past. Seattle has always had a love affair with thrift stores. This was evident when the so-called ‘grunge’ scene made it big here. Back in the late ‘80’s the local rockers were just normal folks, playing their music mostly for the benefit of their friends, not getting a wide audience, and dressing in the best that thrift stores had to offer. They in no way wanted to look like the popular L.A. hair bands of the time.

Another nice thing about this area is the amount of local artists doing their thing here. I try to support the locals whenever I get the chance. These older buildings have really allowed Ballard to blossom, as many artists are getting priced out of Seattle and other popular neighborhoods.

This triangular building has a great guitar façade indicating the wares inside. This guitar shop is very well known for their custom acoustic guitars:

Some stores are taller than they are wide:

There’s a wonderful second hand outdoor equipment store called 2nd Ascent here as well. The Black Friday atmosphere is evidently a bit more relaxed.

Vinyl records are alive and well in Seattle. Thanks to Bop Street Records, with over 600,000 albums in stock, 450,000 of those in the basement.

Where else would you find a Battlestar Gallactica album? That’s not even getting close to the esoteric stuff they’ve got stored here.

I guess when you lose your license, but still have to ride your chopper to the pub, then this is the result:

And yes, you may have noticed it has not stopped raining all day! At least it’s not very windy out.

Posted by Steve Schaeffer at 06:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I left ebar once again in search of a hotspot. I spy a Borders across the street. “Yes!!!” I thought. As I headed over I approached a church on one side

and a mini/mega mall on the other.

The God we worship today can only be found on one side of the street I’m afraid. No matter your religious faith or lack thereof, there is no room for God in our pointless celebration of all things material.

Posted by Ryan Waters at 06:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Seven green shirt-wearing “sisters” drove up from Manchester early this morning to spend Black Friday shopping in Nashville. The “sisters” are seven women who are not just sisters, but also include a mother and recently added friend. This merry band have made Black Friday shopping a twenty-year tradition! Every year they wear matching shirts. This year, the green “team”shirts with a rhinestone outlined reindeer under the neckline, were acquired in Gatlinburg last weekend by a “sister.” Early this morning, they hit Target on the way to Nashville. Along with visiting the Boutique Mall in Green Hills, they will also make at least one more stop at the Cool Springs Mall in Brentwood/Franklin before returning home. “It has been a fun, full day! Can't wait until next year!”

Posted by Brent D. Wineinger at 06:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

For someone supposed to cover San Francisco, it's about time I actually entered the city limits. Union Square is both bustling and has its own Wifi node. No wireless network detection software was needed. I just plopped down, opened my notebook and was asked if I would accept the terms for the UnionSquareWireless Network. Yes. Yes, I would.

Posted by Matthew Margolin at 06:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

As I left Nordstom, I stopped by the make-up counter to see a friend.
“Have you been busy today?” I asked.
“Not really, everyone is just walking around”, she replied.
She showed me the lipstick artwork she’d been working on for the past few minutes; A grotesque collage of pinks, hot pinks, browns, and hooker reds.

I said my goodbyes n’ headed for the door.

Posted by Ryan Waters at 06:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

3:00p Back at the Boutique Mall which was deserted before lunch. Pulling into the parking lots and looking for a space was a much different experience than 4 hours ago. On this visit it took some time to find a space. Once inside the mall, the crowds were noticeably bigger, but still not large. Contrary to forecast, no teen invasion at this mall. But Santa was here talking to children and noting who was naughty or nice!

View streaming Quicktime video here:
Download file

Posted by Brent D. Wineinger at 05:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Michigan Avenue was serene at about 6am this morning.

By 4pm it was back to normal - clogged with cars and pedestrians.

Posted by Will Revis at 05:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Fifth Avenue is packed with shoppers of every kind, most of them walking like typical New Yorkers: heads down, avoiding eye contact, at a brisk pace. It's a New York thing. We don't like to even look at strangers, much less talk to them. Once inside a warm Starbucks to update, however, I was forced by circumstance to sit at an already occupied table, and ended up chatting with a Scottish family visiting New York for the holiday– and for the bargains.

Hugh Scullion went to Macy’s to purchase a new coat that he said was half the price he’d find in the UK. His daughter Shona Healy, on the other hand, spent hours at Bloomingdales, and met her parents with a bag of MAC makeup.

This is the family’s second time spending Black Friday in the City, and Mr. Scullion spoke happily of how friendly all the New Yorkers have been to him. When the tourists are so enthusiastic and outgoing, it’s hard not to smile and share in their joy.

Posted by Jena Tesse Fox at 05:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It was a little late for breakfast, but Tiffany's was bustling with a steady stream of people-- singles, couples, men, women, families, and many, many tourists. To my surprise, almost everyone I asked said that they were only there to browse, but did not expect to purchase any jewelry. One man even said that, flying in the face of every tradition of the day, he was there to purchase some cologne for himself. Outside, the windows glittered with every kind of jewel and crystal on display.

Posted by Jena Tesse Fox at 05:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Nordstrom in Phipps Plaza. Surrounded by million dollar homes and cookie cutter condos that say “I’ve made it to the top by doing what I’m told”, this is the preferred mall of the privileged class. The sweat pants, flip flops, and the “I could care less if anybody sees me today” attitude of rural Wal-Mart has been replaced with Gucci, Prada, and “Look at me everyone, I still look skinny the day after Thanksgiving”.

A live pianist played a variety of Christmas carols, with a random rendition of the Charlie Brown theme thrown in for good measure.

Fashionable thirty and forty somethings looked for whatever it is that the kids are into these days (gotta look young) while their pre-teen kids ran off to the food court with their cell phone leashes promising to call in an hour.
The huge signs advertising big savings were nowhere to be found. The browsing consumers looked at the wares ignoring price tags. It was as if they wanted to come out and celebrate the occasion of the day without lowering themselves to the status of “cheap”. I think if someone was here selling “I survived Black Friday” T-shirts, they’d have made a killing. These folks just wanted to be able to say that they were out today doing the thing to do. It’s not so much Black Friday here at Phipps Plaza. It’s just the place to be.
The only thing that separated this day from any other shopping day seemed to be the big crowds and the short lines at the registers. Few were buying, everyone was looking.

Posted by Ryan Waters at 05:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I spied this guy along with about six others dressed up in big foam ears trying to interest bored shoppers in a new mobile phone plan out on Michigan Avenue.

Don't get me wrong, reporting for Black Friday Watch has been a blast, but it's also been trying at times today. (I think I have frost bite on my toes.) Anyway, this guy reminds me that I shouldn't complain too much.

Posted by Will Revis at 05:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I jumped in the car n’ headed for the upscale Atlanta neighborhood of Buckhead, home of the oh so trendy, Lenox Mall & Phipps Plaza. So, I’m back at it. The afternoon mood of Black Friday is night and day (pun intended) from this morning. The stores are still packed, but the sense of urgency is gone. I asked the first woman I saw walking into Nordstrom, “what brings you out this fine Atlanta afternoon?”
“I was watching the news and wanted to see it for myself” she said.
“Are you crazy” I thought, “Cool, enjoy” I said.

Posted by Ryan Waters at 05:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Here's the ice rink at Millenium Park at about 6am this morning.

And here's the Boner resurfacing it with his Zamboni around 4pm today. If that doesn't make you cold...

Posted by Will Revis at 05:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Posted by Kathryn Gill at 05:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A Nashville shop used live music to attract and maintain customers. Download file

Posted by Brent D. Wineinger at 05:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

2:45p. I've been getting dust on my shoes the since Midnight covering Black Friday in Nashville. But it's been relatively boring in terms of music. Only recorded holiday tunes. It took me 15 hours to come across a merchant using live music to attract and maintain customers. Surprise. It worked! A small group of Black Friday Shoppers were gathered outside this shop. Isn't this the Music City? Why haven't more shopkeepers tapped into the amazing musical talent in this City?

Posted by Brent D. Wineinger at 05:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

This New York window display gave a unique take on the snowblower concept.

Posted by Kathryn Gill at 05:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Across Central Park at the legendary toy store FAO Schwartz, parents and children line up around the block to get in. Have I mentioned that, with the sun going down, the temperature is returning to the 20's? It is. Children on the line cry and squabble as the wind whistles down 58th Street. A toddler wails “I wannit! I wanna doggie!” as she points determinedly at a realistic stuffed pooch in the window. Once inside, a four-year-old almost knocks me over as she races to grab an enormous pink dog that’s as big as she is.

The store is packed with children of all ages, everyone staring awestruck at the sheer number of stuffed animals on the main floor alone. There are other floors with every conceivable kind of toy, but I can barely get through the crowd as it is. It’s noisy and overheated, yet the same children who screamed while on line outside could not be happier once they are indoors. (Apparently, it isn’t music that soothes the savage beast.)

A mother and daughter, tourists from Puerto Rico, have come to get a baby doll. The mother says that she had heard a lot about the store, and wanted to take her daughter. “It’s everything I hoped it would be,” she says with a smile as her young daughter plays joyously with her new doll.

22 year old Laura Cambridge, a new mother with a 7 ½ month old baby, is searching for toys for her infant. The stacking rings are good, but she has her eye on a rocking dog that she admits is “a little on the pricey side.” Still, she doesn’t think the prices are unreasonable for the quality.

Posted by Jena Tesse Fox at 05:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Something found only in New York. Street vendors engage in "price wars" seeing who can get rid of an overstocked trend from a few years ago- the pashmina. Priced as low as five dollars, the pashmina were a hit with tourists