Black Friday sales brisk

More than once last Friday, Dollar Depot cashier Chris Garcia had to call in for reinforcements.

That’s because the downtown Bonners Ferry variety store was having a busy Black Friday.

“We’ve got on gal on the till and she’s had to ring a couple of times for help,” said employee Tina Phillips, who works in customer service. “We’ve been fairly busy and have had three of us on shift.”

The Friday after Thanksgiving is often the busiest shopping day of the holiday season, which accounts for nearly one-fifth of the retail industry's annual sales, according to a published report.

Retail analysts who hopped from mall to mall across the country on Friday saw larger crowds and said customers were toting more shopping bags than last year.

At Larson’s Department Store, owner Dick Larson was having a record-breaking day.

“This store has been very busy,” he said.

Larson attributed sales to a $5.99 toy sale, door busters and his Big Bird Sale, which included oversized sleeping bags for $19.99, boys’ cargo pants for $4.99 and men’s insulated vests for $9.99.

As part his Black Friday promotions, Larson promised the first 72 customers a pair of heavy duty outdoor boot socks. They were gone in less than an hour.

Judy Everhart and Bernice Mesenbrink were among customers to get socks. The Bonners Ferry women waited in the Larson’s parking lot 30 minutes before the store opened at 7 a.m.

“We thought it would be fun,” Everhart said.  “It’s very exciting to bring the money to our hometown.”

Phyllis Collyer of Bonners Ferry and her daughter, Kris Maley of Rosalia, Wash., took advantage of $5.99 toys at Larson’s.

“I wanted to get some games and toys for my grandchildren,” Collyer said.

“And I just came along,” Maley added.

Jodeen Lopez at Top Secret Clothing and Gifts had twice as many customers as usual on Black Friday.

“People are definitely finding out about it,” Lopez said. “About 99.9 percent of everyone is finding something.”

Top Secret offers designer clothing for the whole family, including Aeropostal, Baby Phat, Forever 21 and Vanity.