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CRAIG T. KOJIMA/CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM
2014 NOV 27 CTY Shopping at Waikele Kmart was busy and had about 500 shoppers waiting to shop in the morning. SA photo by Craig T. Kojima
Move over Black Friday. Crowds of Thanksgiving Day shoppers got a head start on holiday purchases for what is becoming a new tradition.
“It was kind of crazy, nerve-wrecking,” said Loke Barroga, of Makakilo, after exiting the Toys R Us in Aiea. “I didn’t know where everything was.”
She and her boyfriend Buddah Kahihikola wrapped up their shopping in about 30 minutes after the store opened and planned to continue shopping elsewhere.
The couple loaded a pink Power Wheels Barbie Cadillac Escalade into the back of their SUV, filling the back half of the vehicle.
Barroga said she bought the mini electric vehicle — which usually sells for about $420 — for $299. Her receipt said she saved $180 on the shopping excursion.
For Barroga, the 5 p.m. opening worked out because her family had brunch together for Thanksgiving.
“It worked out with my Black Friday schedule,” she said. “I didn’t even plan it.”
Like Barroga, about 800 shoppers entered Toys R Us within the first 30 minutes after the store opened, said store manager David Palmer.
