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Saturday, December 27, 1997

Shoppers pack malls for post-Christmas bargains

By CHRISTY LEMIRE / Associated Press Writer

DALLAS (AP) -- An unusual snowfall couldn't keep die-hard bargain hunters away from Dallas malls for Friday's after-Christmas sales.

Shoppers lined up around Foley's at Valley View Mall long before the store's 7 a.m. opening, bundled in heavy coats and scarves and holding coffee cups to warm themselves in 30-degree temperatures.

But once those doors opened, they made a mad dash for the half-price Christmas decorations on the third floor, even bounding up the down escalators for items they won't be needing for another 364 days.

Shoppers stood in cash register lines 15 people deep, their armed overloaded with Christmas plates, stuffed Santas and silk-flower wreaths. One man brought a detailed list of ornaments he planned to buy.

Dallas residents Mary and Ron Read, both 51, picked through a few remaining holiday items on a clearance table.

"We've come every year (on Dec. 26) religiously for the past 25 years," said Mrs. Read, who was buying a rustic-looking Santa doll dressed in a plaid flannel shirt and work boots. "We buy gifts for next year and then put them all in a closet."

Many retailers opened early and closed late, slashing prices up to 70 percent to make up for a sluggish holiday shopping season.

A Target store in north Dallas opened its doors at 7 a.m. to dozens of waiting shoppers. Most were buying sale items and there were few returns, said store manager Janell Greene.

"Even with the snow, we still had a crowd," Greene said. "All our Christmas items are 50-percent off, so everyone purchased about $200 worth."

Maci Mattison of Sulphur Springs drove 80 miles with her family to shop for discount holiday decorations at NorthPark Center in Dallas.

"My mom made me come. She's one of the crazy people standing in line," the 17-year-old said while sitting on a bench. "We were up at 6 a.m. and I put my makeup on in the car. We do this every year."

Shoppers in Austin weren't returning items as much as they were buying things on sale.

Tara Tapenhausen of Austin said she eyed several clothing items she wanted for months, then waited for them to go on sale Friday and rushed into Highland Mall to purchase them.

"Last year, I came with my grandmother and my mom and I watched all these people dig through Christmas ornaments and I thought, 'I will never want a Christmas ornament or anything that bad,' and here I am," Ms. Tapenhausen said.

Cold and wet conditions kept shoppers away early Friday, said Marsha Mucks, senior general manager of the San Marcos Factory Shops south of Austin.

"With the weather, we got off to a slow start, but we have (Department of Public Safety) officers directing traffic to keep things moving if it picks up," Ms. Mucks said.

At Greenspoint Mall in Houston, Joyce Johnson, 44, and her 22-year-old daughter, Lakitha, found some good bargains.

"I wish I waited to buy all my stuff this late," joked Ms. Johnson, whose daughter carried three big shopping bags filled with shoes, pajamas and other items.