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Hundreds come to Midnight Madness at Sparks mall

Page Last Updated: Friday November 27, 2009 2:08pm PST

A throng of eager shoppers crowd the entrance of Forever 21 at the Legends at Sparks Marina just after midnight Friday.
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Shelley Kudelka-News 4

The National Retail Federation predicts holiday spending will be slightly down from 2008. Though last night's Midnight Madness at The Legends may contradict those predictions.

At 11 p.m. traffic was backed up along Interstate 80's eastbound lane for almost an hour from The Nugget to The Legends. When the clock struck 11:59 p.m., the packed scene looked more like a concert than a typical Black Friday sale. Hundreds of teens screamed and cheered when Forever 21 opened its doors. By 12:30 a.m., shoppers were leaving with bags in hand.

"I think everything was 50 percent or 60 percent off, "said one shopper leaving Tommy Hilfigger. "I spent like $30 for all three items, so that's not bad."

For others, shopping at midnight was unexpected experience.

Jean Thoms went shopping with her daughter. "This is our first time taking advantage of the sales," she said. "So far it's been fun, it's kind of like a party out there."

At 2 a.m. News 4 stopped by another hot spot, Toys R Us.

"Me and my mom usually come out and do most of our shopping," said Casey Kramer. "Eighty percent of our Christmas is done today."

By 4 a.m. the Sparks Target, lines wrapped around the building since midnight. Before opening the doors, a store employee warned shoppers at the front of the line "to not run me over." Shoppers cautiously walked through the door to their deep sales.

And two blocks south at Best Buy, a similar scene. The first shopper got in line at 10 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, others followed shortly after. Residents like Bobby Singh, say while Black Friday is traditionally for shopping for others, he was buying electronics for himself.

"The same thing tomorrow is going to cost like $3,000 and we're spending $800," he said. "At least $1200 in 12 hours, that‘s not bad."

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