DANVERS — Armed with carts and bags, shoppers were out in full force well before the sun was up.
"We were cautiously optimistic," Liberty Tree Mall assistant general manager Matt Bourassa said about the anticipated Black Friday mobs. When the doors to Old Navy opened at 3 a.m., he was happy to let in about 200 soaking-wet shoppers.
Old Navy was the first to open, followed by Target and Kohl's at 4 a.m.
Cheryl Glidden and Jennifer Coles of Beverly were not part of that crowd.
"I did that one year, and I'm all set," Glidden said. "Never again."
They got there around 10, and still got all the deals they wanted.
But people at Best Buy weren't taking any chances. Nearly 1,000 shoppers snaked around the outside of the building and entered at 5 a.m., when the rest of the mall opened. By that time, many people had already picked through the big-box stores and were seeking out bargains at many of the smaller shops and kiosks, Bourassa said.
"I think the mall benefited more from the staggered opening," he said.
The throngs were also more organized this year. As the stores opened, managers let in controlled groups at a time to avoid any accidents like people being trampled.
But the morning was not without mishaps.
A pedestrian was struck at 5:01 a.m. near the Firestone Tire and Service Center at 159 Endicott Street, Danvers police said.
Two people were walking across the street in the rain when a Honda CRV sport utility vehicle struck one of them as it was heading toward the mall. The driver did not see the person crossing, police Sgt. Robert Bettencourt said.
The victim, whose name was not released, complained of head and back pain and was taken to Beverly Hospital.
Police also responded twice to Walmart, off Route 114, after reports that the parking lot was overflowing. Officers came out around 4 a.m. and returned at 5:20 to deal with parking issues.
Staff writer Cate Lecuyer can be reached at clecuyer@salem news.com.
Meet the shoppers
Anna Deleon, Lynn
"This is the first day I've woken up early (for Black Friday)."
Arrived at: Walmart, 4 a.m.
Big-ticket purchase: 46-inch flat-screen TV
Maxine Soep and husband Howard Soep, Ipswich
"I can shop other times," she said. "But it just kind of puts you in the mood. Plus, you have to get rid of all the calories from the day before."
Arrived at: Liberty Tree Mall, 10 a.m.
Frugal finds: 50 percent off sports jackets at K&G Fashion Superstore, Red Sox paraphernalia at Five Below, $100 off a GPS at Best Buy.
Christa Matheson, Nahant
"I decided a long time ago I'm going to take the day off from work, and I'm going to take my girl out."
Arrived at: Liberty Tree Mall, 8 a.m.
Big bargains: Two pairs of winter boots for daughter at Sports Authority, sweaters at Marshalls, a Snuggie for their dog at Bed Bath & Beyond.
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