'Thrill of the hunt:'Black Friday shopping lives on

Nov. 24—Despite the shift to online shopping in recent years, Black Friday is still one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

Though global giants like Walmart and Target have predominantly moved the Black Friday doorbusters away from the doors and into the cyber world, folks still enjoy a hands-on experience for their holiday gift-giving needs.

Carry Yakely stood behind her car placing her new finds in the trunk outside of Target. Yakely was shopping for not only her kids and grandkids, but for her students as well.

"I actually bought some games for my students at school. I teach special needs students and they love to play UNO. So I bought them all UNO games for $9.99," Yakely said.

Yakely and her family haven't done much shopping online so far this holiday season, she said.

"We like Black Friday. We usually try to do as much as we can today," Yakely said.

Most stores in the area didn't have long lines waiting outside in the bitter cold in the early hours of the morning. For those who do enjoy a bit of competition for their lower prices, there were still some stores who held traditional Black Friday events.

Outside of Bargain Bin in Anniston before midnight on Thursday, a line snaked around the parking lot with customers hoping to find something interesting. The bin store advertised tons of savings with everything priced at $12 each, and customers started showing up prior to 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving just to get in line.

"I like it better just — hands-on — buying it in the store," said Carl Higginbotham of White Plains.

Higginbotham said he had hoped to find some tools for himself and possible gifts for his family in the bins.

"It's more just the thrill of the hunt," Higginbotham said.

Staff Writer Ashley Morrison: 256-236-1551. On Twitter: @AshMorrison1105.