It was no Black Friday, but the crowd at Briarwood Mall at about 6 p.m. Wednesday was pretty thick - kind of like a typical Sunday.
The full parking lot near Macy's was my first clue that the rest of the world wasn't standing in line at the grocery store buying last-minute sweet potatoes (which is how I spent my Monday night).
Instead, many people prowled the stores even thought the busiest shopping day of the year was about 34 hours (or a mere 3 "shopping hours") away.
Some stores started Black Friday specials on Wednesday - like Aeropostale, which advertised 50 percent off of the entire store, and Gap Kids, with its buy one-get one deal on fleece. Others will tell you what their deal is if you ask - like Build-a-Bear Workshop (spend $30 and get a free mini moose) - but shoppers have to wait.
Meanwhile, Von Maur, true to its tradition of letting associates spend time with their families for the holiday, closed early.
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