Black Friday shoppers trickled into Northbrook Court on the biggest shopping day of the year, but the mall was far from chaotic as they wandered around checking out sales of up to 75 percent off.
Unlike other malls in the North Shore where parking spots were hard to come by, the lots at Northbrook Court were only about a quarter full between 9 and 10:30 a.m.
And despite the many deep discounts at day-after-Thanksgiving powerhouse Macy’s, the store was unexpectedly quiet Friday morning.
A Black Friday lull has become more common at malls like Northbrook Court during recent years, since most retailers started opening a day early on Thanksgiving and an increasing number of consumers opt to shop online.
Tony Ohlwein of Highland Park bought a waffle maker and a griddle at Macy’s on Friday morning, but he said he didn’t come for the discounts and he wasn’t even sure whether his new kitchen appliances were on sale.
“I’m not into (Black Friday),” Ohlwein said on his way out of the mall. “I got what I came for and I’m all done.”
Wandering around the coat section, Deerfield mom Sheryl Stagl browsed pea coats for 60 percent off with her two daughters, Jen and Meghan.
The Stagls said they usually stay home on Black Friday, but decided to stop by the mall because they all had the day off from work.
“It’s surprising to see how uncrowded the mall is,” Meghan Stagl said. “We’re not your typical Black Friday shoppers — I’d rather kick back and relax on Turkey Day and shop on my laptop.”
Over at The Gap, Laurie Kitts of Buffalo Grove was on top of her Black Friday shopping as she scooped up kids clothes at discounts of 50 and 75 percent off.
Kitts was up at 7 a.m. to meet her mother, Mary Ellen Billmeyer, and her sister Jennifer Billmeyer at Northbrook Court. The three didn’t waste any time hitting the sales.
By 9:30 a.m., the women had their hands full of bulging shopping bags from Lord & Taylor, Macy’s, and The Gap.
Kitts said the stores were well-stocked and they had no trouble finding the right sizes and colors.
“We had 75 percent off coupons at Lord & Taylor,” Kitts said. “We love the sales, so we come out and do this every year.”
Suzanne Beres, marketing manager for Northbrook Court, could not be reached for comment.