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Holiday Shoppers Get A Head Start On Thanksgiving

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It's almost Black Friday, but some malls and stores opened early on Thanksgiving, giving shoppers a head start on the best deals for the holidays.

Rick Ritter has the details.

Hundreds were waiting outside for the doors to open at a few places. For some, the eve of Black Friday, or Gray Thursday, has become more important than Black Friday itself.

While most are at the dinner table for Thanksgiving, hundreds flock to White Marsh Mall. Come 6 p.m., the madness begins.

"We ditched everyone for Thanksgiving dinner to come shopping," said Ashley Chaplin.

Boscov's -- one prime target for early holiday shopping.

"They were literally coming in and running to our departments, trying to get their merchandise," said Les Verhoek, store manager, Boscov's.

It's not just deals on items like the Keurig maker, but doorbusters and giveaways every hour.

"We have a $100 gift card that we're giving away on the hour," said Verhoek.

Robert Lind came to visit his daughter at work and got sidetracked.

"So we wanted to come up and surprise her, and then, of course, we're [shopping]," he said.

Ashley Chaplin may have the most bags in the mall.

"This is the best time to get a great deal," she said. "And I'm all about saving a dollar. I'm frugal Fran."

Getting as many deals as possible.

Ritter: "With bags like this you obviously have a game plan here."

Chaplin: "Yeah -- drop it in the car and go and do some more."

At Toys R Us and Best Buy off Pulaski Highway -- same story -- shoppers wheeling out toys and TVs, grabbing what they can before Black Friday.

"If I can save a buck, I'm coming," said Chaplin.

Some stores are open until midnight, then closing and opening back up Friday morning.

Others, like the Target in Canton, opened at 6 p.m. Thursday and will stay open for the next 24 hours.

Experts expect nationwide sales this holiday weekend to be up close to four percent compared to last year.

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