Residents see deep discounts during Black Friday sales
Fri, Nov 27, 2009 
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BY MARIE HAVENGA
news@grandhaventribune.com
Black Friday turned a bit white as a light dusting of snow fell on the annual day after Thanksgiving shopping spree.
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Hundreds of shoppers braved the overnight elements, standing in line since Thursday night, while others arrived shortly before dawn in hopes of bagging bargains.
Ron Shoop, store manager for Grand Haven's Wal-Mart, said people began lining up as early as 10 p.m. Thursday to find bargains.
"I have no idea how many customers we've had, but it's been very busy," said Shoop, adding televisions and computers were the fastest items to sell out.
The manager estimates the volume of sales are very similar to last year, and might even be a little bit busier.
Grand Haven residents Terry and Rosemarry Shrum were two of the many who braved the holiday shopping crowds this morning. The couple arrived at the Grand Haven Meijer around 4 a.m., shopping for their four children and six grandchildren.
Almost four hours later, they cashed out two shopping carts full of goodies totaling $388.
"We do this pretty much every year," Rosemary Shrum said. "We thought if we came in and it was really bad we wouldn't even mess with it but it went pretty well today."
Terry Shrum said they started shopping about two weeks ago and the gift buying is almost complete.
"It was kind of fun this morning," Rosemary Shrum added. "We met a lot of friends and talked to people we haven't seen in a long time."
The Shrums weren't alone, as they were joined by countless others including sisters Kim Munch and Michelle Teitsma, who joined their mom Mary Teitsma at 5 a.m.
Munch scored a 42-inch Sylvania television at a $200 savings.
"We try to do this every year," she said. "It's just fun."
The trio hit several stores on their annual shopping agenda, but expressed disappointment in their Wal-Mart experience.
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"They were letting people put stuff in their cart before 5 a.m. (scheduled sale start time)," said Munch, one of several shoppers who complained about such incidents.
The reports from Muskegon area stores indicated much longer lines and wait times than in Grand Haven, while Grand Haven Meijer and Wal-Mart lines were down to a trickle by 7 a.m.
"It's crazy up here," said Spring Lake Township resident Jill Gibson, who visited Wal-Mart, ABC Warehouse, Staples and several other Muskegon and Norton Shores venues this morning.
Others, including Spring Lake resident Pam Veneklasen, were new to the Black Friday game and didn't know what to expect.
Though new, Veneklasen exited the Grand Haven Wal-Mart early this morning with gifts in tow.
"I have never done this before in my life," said Veneklasen, laughing. "I just happened to wake up early this morning. I'm going back home now and back to bed, but I may go get a Christmas tree later today."
For veteran Black Friday shoppers and newbies, efforts were made to make the process easier.
Shoop said Wal-Mart put maps on its web site for item locations within individual stores.
"We're here to help customers and that worked out very well," he said.
The traditional shopping spree is dubbed Black Friday because it is considered the day when stores break into profitability for the full year – given the barrage of deep discounts and high volume sales.
