Shoppers surge to New Ulm

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Lured by early-bird discount specials, Christmas shoppers surged to New Ulm Thursday and Friday, leaving merchants with an optimistic outlook for the holiday shopping season.

Thanksgiving Day shoppers were even heavier than Friday's crowd, according to Kmart Big K manager Tim Wonn.

"Yesterday really surprised us. It was a lot wilder Thursday than Friday. It was still steady but less crazy Friday. The things we featured in ads were well accepted," Wonn said.

More than 100 19-inch televisions were sold Thursday at Big K. Other hot sellers were DVD and CD players, mountain bikes, fiber optic Christmas trees, Christmas lights, extension cords and 12 packs of Pepsi and Mountain Dew.

About the only thing that hasn't sold well yet is outer wear. Wonn expects that to pick up as cooler weather comes next week.

Big K opened at 5 a.m. Friday and will remain open around the clock until 11 p.m. Sunday. Normal hours will begin Monday. Christmas week will feature 24 hour service.

A big crowd of shoppers came to Target Friday morning looking for advertised items, according to store team leader Sue Pfeffer.

Electronics, toys, small appliances and Christmas lights were among the biggest sellers.

People were really looking for our Audiovox and other updated stereo systems, cameras, Nintendo and Play Stations, Game Cube, Game Boy and the X Box, which plays games on discs and doubles as a DVD player, Pfeffer said.

Target extended it's store hours to 11 p.m. Friday.

Herberger's Manager "Rollo" Lentz was thrilled to see more shoppers than in past years waiting outside when he opened his store doors at 7 a.m. Friday.

"I'm not complaining. We're happy with what we're seeing," Lentz said. "It's been a very busy day. The weather helped bring some people out. People are buying lots of attire, sweaters, slacks, the basics."

Herberger's will be open until 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.