By Marcia Moore and Rick Dandes
HUMMELS WHARF -- Valley shoppers looking for a chance to simultaneously burn off calories from the Thanksgiving Day meal and lighten their wallets are in luck this year.
For the first time in about 25 years, Boscov's Department Stores, chain-wide, will be open today from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., and on Black Friday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
"We found out about this a week ago," said Terry Scheneck, the store manager at Boscov's Susquehanna Valley Mall store. "I'm sure that not every one of our employees is thrilled to be working on Thanksgiving, but it's exciting to do this because we all know that Boscov's is straightening itself out financially."
The chain recently went through a bankruptcy proceeding and sale.
Scheneck said he'd be at work 4 a.m. Thursday, preparing for the opening.
"We have some incredibly deep sales, particularly in the electronics department on HD TVs," he said. "We expect business to be strong."
Ron Urso, who works in Boscov's cosmetics department, said he didn't mind coming to work on the holiday.
"Business has been good all week," he said on Wednesday night. "I haven't seen any drop-off in sales lately, despite what you hear about the economy. In this department, our customers know what they want, the fragrances, for example, and when they see bargains, they purchase them.
Over in the children's department, Patty and Vernon Mitterling, of Selinsgrove, were shopping for their soon-to-be born 11th grandchild.
"My daughter is due any day now, and we know it will be a girl," Patti Mitterling said, looking through an assortment of pink and turquoise baby outfits. "I'm here because of the bargains."
Peggy Hassinger, of Middleburg, was price shopping in the electronics department for Friday's sale. "I'm pre-shopping," she said with a smile. "I shop for prices and then at some point I'll shop with my husband."
Hassinger said she might be one of the early morning shoppers. "I have to go to work ... and get my shopping done."
Some shoppers were in Boscov's for specific items and weren't particularly interested in the craziness that is the hallmark of Black Friday.
"I'm just here because I need bedding," Mona Yetter, of Selinsgrove, said. "I shop all the time. But Black Friday is too busy."
A minute later, she found exactly what she was looking for: "an incredible buy," a $150 bedset selling for $19.95.
As the mall filled up on Thanksgiving eve, Tom Gerald, of Sunbury, standing outside the Game Shop, said he'd once stayed up all night, camping in front of Best Buy, to purchase a Playstation II.
"At the time, there was limited quantity," he said. "I had to get one. It was the gift to get for a gamer like me."
So he froze in a line with about 100 other people. This happened a few years ago in Philadelphia, he explained.
"I'll be here, or somewhere at 6 a.m.," said Sarah Sutter, of Selinsgrove, sitting on a bench in front of American Eagle Outfitter. "I'm looking to buy some clothes and the bargains are incredible. Buy one, get a second for a penny. Stuff like that. Awesome deals."
With all the spending anticipated on Friday, Melissa Kolenda, of Danville, seemed lost and alone in the Susquehanna Mall at her volunteer station for the Salvation Army.
"Actually, despite all the talk of people having money problems, or maybe because people do have severe financial problems, we are seeing people contribute more, not less," she said. "Somehow, it's comforting to known that people are opening their pockets for others."
Elsewhere in the area, Weis Markets will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and the 24-hour Giant Supermarkets will also close at 3 p.m. for the rest of the holiday.
Stores in Monroe Market Place will be closed all day Thursday and open for business at different times on Black Friday.
Kohl's Department Store has the earliest start and longest hours on Black Friday, from 4 a.m. to midnight.
Dick's Sporting Goods, Best Buy and will be open Friday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Target's store hours will be from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Bed Bath & Beyond will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
