Willowbrook Opens Early; Macy's and Gap Open at Midnight

was bustling with activity at 5 a.m. Black Friday.

The mall was supposed to open at 6 a.m., but several security personnel said that mall opened at 3 a.m.; Gap and Macy’s opened at midnight.

on Hamburg Turnpike opened at 9 p.m. Thanksgiving night. Dozens of to purchase discounted technology like netbooks and video games.

People carried multiple bags from several of the large department stores at 5 a.m. One family used a stroller to bring five bags of merchandise out to their car.

“There’s not really one thing I think people want this year, but the sales are the best and places are rewarding shoppers for spending a lot of money,” Christina Hendericks, a Wayne resident, said as she walked back to her car at about 6:30 a.m.

The line heading into Lord & Taylor stretched out the store and halfway down the walkway. The store was offering shoppers a $25 gift card for spending $125.

“I never shop here, but that’s too good of a deal to pass up,” Towaco resident Tina Lopez said.

Shoppers sipped coffee and ate cinnamon buns as they talked with each other and discussed what stores they would hit up next.

“We’re going to head out to as many places today as we can,” Henry Salazar, a Paterson native, said. “You’ve got to head out there early. If you don’t, you miss out on being able to buy what you really want.”