Black Friday tradition brings more than just savings

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- For most, Black Friday is about finding the best deals and discounts, but for quite a few people it’s the tradition with family that they enjoy most.

Opening up at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, the Colony Square Mall was abuzz with bargain hunters. Though saving a few bucks may have been at the top of many shoppers lists, it was the quality time with their loved ones that ranked as the number one priority.

“We kind of make it a tradition every year [to] go Black Friday shopping,” said Kim Linderman who was shopping with her two daughters. “It seems like its fading off a little bit commercial wise but we still like to get out and find a few deals or at least have lunch together and spend some time together; that’s really the key.”

Linderman, who is from Orrville, Ohio, was spending the holiday with her family at a cabin in Belle Valley and traveled to Zanesville for doorbuster shopping.

For another family, the shopping tradition has been running for as long as they can remember, complete with coordinating festive sweaters.

“Well ever since she was a baby, I’m her momma, we always went after Thanksgiving shopping and we’ve always dressed alike, so it’s kind of like a little tradition for us,” said Kathi Kees from Newcomerstown who came to Zanesville to spend the holiday with her daughter, Lacie.

Kathi and Lacie were on day two of their holiday shopping and said crowds were surprisingly larger on Thanksgiving night than on Black Friday.