At the Shops at Pembroke Gardens, a new outdoor mall in Pembroke Pines, some shoppers making the rounds were unimpressed with Black Friday sales.

Marlene Garau, 20, of Miami Lakes, said she and a friend had hit the Aventura Mall earlier but found “better than normal” discounts only at one store, Urban Outfitters. By 9 a.m., the friends each had picked up a shirt and jacket that was an additional half off the sale price.

Garau, who recently lost her job as a receptionist in a Fort Lauderdale salon, said she certainly is spending less this holiday season.

“Not a lot of people are giving gifts this year. We’re just like … money is tight,” said Garau, as she searched for more bargains at Pembroke Gardens.

-- Doreen Hemlock, staff writer, Sun Sentinel

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Megan Johnson, 34, of Parkland was talking Friday at the Town Center mall in Boca Raton about the need to spend less this holiday season.

"My husband's a contractor, and business is very slow," she said.

"That's right. No Coach bag for you," quipped her 11-year-old son, Jake.

- Paul Owers, staff writer

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I was stunned when I drove past the Palm Beach Mall around 9:15 Friday morning.

Normally, the rundown center's parking lots are practically empty. But today the place was packed, especially outside JCPenney.

Also busy was Dillard's, which is attracting shoppers with 70-percent-off store-closing sales. I hear Dillard's will be open until at least mid-December.

- Paul Owers, staff writer

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Some of the busiest stores; and sample promotions at Sawgrass Mills:

KB Toy Works: "Biggest Sale Ever" signs plastered on store windows. Shoppers get $20 free bonus bucks with a purchase of $100 or more from Black Friday through Sunday.

Puma: 40 % off footwear and apparel, excluding clearance items.

Tommy Hilfilger: Everything in store, 50 % off all day

Perry Ellis: 60 % off or more on store items

Nike Factory Store: A plethora of discounts, including an extra 20% off entire purchase from midnight to noon Friday

- Arlene Satchell, staff writer

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Mall corridors were jam packed with crowds of between 30,000 to 40,000 shoppers.

Willie Mells of Fort Lauderdale had a game plan all mapped out until he saw the lines outside BrandsMart.

"I'd thought I'd knock out all my shopping early," said Mells, 53, staring incredulously at the crush of shoppers waiting to enter the electronics and appliance store.

Mells had hoped to snag a GPS navigation system, some stereo equipment and a few other miscellaneous gifts for co-workers during the morning shopping run.

"With the economy so whacked, I can probably wait until January and still get a good deal," he said, contemplating his next move.

Davis said he wouldn't stay until the throng abated and planned to stop next at a nearby Wal-Mart.

At KB Toy Works, Jeanne Semper of Coral Springs bought a Rhythm Station Keyboard early Friday for $29.98, a $10 savings.

Semper said she'd "comparison shopped" for specific items to determine where the best deals were before heading out.

"You have to do your homework," she said.

Although the crowds were out, Semper said she didn't think many people were spending as much as they did last year and that some were likely just got trying to walk off their Thanksgiving meal.

Of note: With parking scarce, especially near BrandsMart, a couple of enterprising young men tried to sell their parking space for $20 to drivers desperate for an empty spot.

- Arlene Satchell, staff writer

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Store Manager Thomas Gebhardt said lines formed an hour before Friday's 4 a.m. opening.

The crowd of 200 to 300 persons, was "well-mannered" and sang Christmas Carols before dashing for doorbusters.

Digital frames, GPS navigation systems and jewelry were hot items at Kohl's and despite the economy, there were many deals to be had this Black Friday, Gebhardt said.

"If you're a value conscious customer, this is the day to shop," he said.

Nancy Ali-Shamaa of Hollywood bought a Presto Cool Touch Electric Griddle for $19.99 (before $10 mail-in rebate), a blender and shirt at Kohl's, attracted by the retailer's "awesome sales."

The 20-year-old student, who arrived 30 minutes before opening, said the $10 Kohl's coupon she received for a $50 purchase was added incentive to start shopping early this holiday.

- Arlene Satchell, staff writer

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College student Raphael Tavernier, 19, teamed up with fellow Publix store clerk Jarrell Osborne, 18, to score bargains early Friday at Aventura Mall in north Miami-Dade County.

The two clean-cut youths each bought sneakers at Foot Locker in order to get $25 off a $100 purchase. They also each picked up a Florida Marlins hat to tap a “buy one, get the second one half off” deal. Together, they figured they saved at least $43.

“Publix has been cutting back on hours for part timers, so I work less now,” said Tavernier, an atmospheric science and meteorology student at Broward College, formerly Broward Community College.

He now is working 20 to 30 hours, instead of 40 hours, a week. “I look out for the discounts,” Tavernier said.

-- Doreen Hemlock, staff writer, Sun Sentinel

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Traffic was brisk at the upscale Aventura Mall in north Miami-Dade County despite the soft economy

. Nicole Gilfoy, a 25-year-old clerk at the Wild Buffalo silver jewelry kiosk, said she parked on the fourth floor of the Macy’s garage at 6:30 am and sees no difference in mall crowds from last year.

“I guess people can’t stay away from the sales,” said the Florida International University student.

Gilfoy said she personally will spend less this holiday season. An internship has cut into her work hours and she is preparing to get married.

“I am cutting down on gifts. I don’t have as much money,” she said. “I’ll buy just for the kids.”

-- Doreen Hemlock, staff writer, Sun Sentinel

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Hey, let's take it easy out there.

Look what happened in Valley Stream, Long Island:

Read it here.

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Thanks to our sister blog, Watch This Now, we have classic scenes of the morning rush:

Click here.

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The economy is so awful that even auto repair shops feel the need to get in on the Black Friday fun.

Tires Plus in Palm Beach and Broward counties opened at 5 a.m. today and is offering 50 percent off a set of four select tires until 7 a.m. -- provided that you buy a lifetime balance, alignment and road hazard warranty. If you don't need tires, you still can save 50 percent on brakes and other repairs between 5-7.

But no work will be performed at such an early hour. Customers pay in advance and schedule the service for another time.

- Paul Owers

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The Christmas shopping season has begun.

Hundreds of shoppers smiled and gave weary cheers as the doors to Best Buy opened at 5 a.m.
Staff let them in a group at a time to avoid any panic rush, but no one seemed to be complaining.

- Rafael Olmeda, staff writer. Near Sawgrass Mills

update
5:55 a.m.
The wait at Best buy is down to 15 minutes

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I'm so excited. This 20 percent off coupon just came in from Pottery Barn. It is good for 20 percent off ONE ITEM.

Hurry and print it out now because it's only good for Thanksgiving weekend. Bring it to the store with you and shop 'til you drop...

To print this coupon, click on the single post for this item on the right rail, go to print preview, enlarge to 100 percent and print.

Now, what will I buy? Let me know what you found.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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On your marks, get set ....

Aventura Mall: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Broward Mall: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Coral Ridge Mall: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Coral Square Mall: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Galleria in Fort Lauderdale: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Pembroke Lakes Mall: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sawgrass Mills: 12 a.m. Thursday to 9:30 p.m. Friday

The Promenade at Coconut Creek: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Shops at Pembroke Gardens: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Boynton Beach Mall: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Palm Beach Mall: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Gardens Mall: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The Mall at Wellington Green: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Town Center mall in Boca Raton: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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Now we know why they call this Black Friday.

Because all the fun starts in the cover of darkness.

Best Buy and other major chains typically open at 5 a.m. on the day after Thanksgiving, but the Sawgrass Mills outlet mall in Sunrise is one-upping them this year.

Sawgrass is opening at midnight for die-hard shoppers hell-bent on leaving their football-watching husbands behind.

Marketing mavens hope the midnight blitz adds a little pizzazz to a shopping season that's expected to be one of the worst in decades because the tanking economy.

Some of the better deals out there: 50 percent off toys at Kohl's and a 52-inch flat-panel Samsung TV at Best Buy for $1,499.

Check back here throughout the day Friday for some of the more interesting tidbits we find. We'll be at Sawgrass Mills at midnight and at various stores in Palm Beach and Broward counties talking to shoppers.

Happy bargain hunting, everyone.

-- Paul Owers, staff writer

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We're looking for a few good South Florida shoppers who use Twitter. We'd like to use your reports to help our readers know what's going on in our area's stores and malls on Black Friday morning.

Please send us some info now and on Friday morning, just use Twitter as you normally would, on your phone or on your computer, and we'll spread your word to Sun Sentinel readers. E-mail hgoodman@sun-sentinel.com with the following information:

1. Your name

2. Phone number (for contact purposes only)

3. Twitter account name

4. City you live in

5. What your Black Friday plans are

We'll get back to you as soon as we can.

Note: You must be 18 or older, and not a store or mall employee.

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Members of BJs Wholesale Club can get fab Black Friday deals. The club is offering more than $3,675 in coupon savings, including a 42” LCD HDTV for $679.99.

Get up early. BJ's will open two hours early -- at 7 a.m. Special coupons will be offered through the holiday weekend while supplies last on name brand gifts, online shopping as well as groceries.

You should have a received a coupon book in the mail. But if not, they are handing out coupon books at the door. Instant coupons also are available at bjs.com. For example, there's a $50 instant coupon on line for a Garmin nuvi 200 3.5 GPS receiver that was $179.99 and is now $129.99.

Some of the hot deals include:

Televisions

Sharp® AQUOS® 52” 1080p LCD HDTV (BJ’s Member pricing – including $300 coupon –$1399.99)
Samsung® 46” 1080p LCD HDTV (BJ’s Member pricing – including $200 coupon - $1099.99)
Samsung® 32” LCD HDTV (BJ’s Member pricing - including $100 coupon - $499.99)
Sylvania® 37” LCD HDTV (BJ’s Member pricing - including $80 coupon - $599.99)
Sylvania® 22” LCD TV (BJ’s Member pricing – including $40 coupon - $289.99)

Computers

Sony® VGC-JS1100/SC, Intel® Dual Core Processor, All-in-One PC (BJ’s Member pricing – including $100 coupon - $849.99)
Sony® 16.4” Notebook (BJ’s Member pricing – including $200 coupon - $799.99)
HP® Desktop Bundle (BJ’s Member pricing – including $100 coupon - $799.99)
HP® D7260 Printer with 3.5” Touch Screen LCD (BJ’s Member pricing – including $50 coupon - $49.99)

Prices are valid Friday, November 28 thru Sunday, November 30, while supplies last.

Makes you want to join.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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Mizner Park kicks off a month of holiday shopping events with a fashion show on Thurs., Dec. 4.

The "Holiday Nights on the Town" also features live jazz, wine and food tastings, and the chance at a $2,000 shopping spree at Mizner Park.

A special shopping pass with discounts and specials is available at shops. Go to Mizner Park.com for details and other incentives. I found, for example, 15 percent off at Ann Taylor Loft on Friday, Nov. 28, aka Black Friday. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

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Thanks to the folks at Kohl’s we don't have to search Websites for their Black Friday specials.

Better get to bed early Thanksgiving night because Kohl's opens at 4 a.m. The Early Bird specials are from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Thanksgiving shoppers also will get $10 off future purchases for every $50 spent.

Here are some of the 300 specials:

Toys: 50 percent off entire stock including popular brands like Fisher Price, Playskool, Barbie, Tonka, Matchbox and Hot Wheels. This year it also covers Little Tikes, Crayola and Play-Doh.

Designer brands for misses: 40 to 50 percent off entire stock of apparel including:
Simply Vera Vera Wang – $17 to $100.80, originally $34 to $168; Elle Contemporary Collection – $8.99 to $49.99, originally $24 to $84; Daisy Fuentes – $8.99 to $35.00, originally $18 to $89.

Chaps apparel for misses (selected styles): 55 to 60 percent off; $13.50 to $75.80, originally $30 to $189.50.

High-definition video camera value pack including 2GB SD card, tripod, rechargeable batteries, cable and pouch. Records HD video and captures still images up to 12M resolution: $99.99; regularly $199.99.

Kohl's is cool. You can check out the ads now at kohls.com.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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On my shopping list this weekend are some warm jammies. Not only has it been a little chilly lately for this reborn Floridian, I occasionally head north during the holidays where I know I'm going to be freezing my fanny off.

No Victoria's Secret here. Something solid like J.C. Penney. My mother bought me a pair of pajamas a few years ago from JC Penney or Sears -- two department stores reliable for relative gift giving because items can be returned in other cities.

These PJ's look cute, for $24.99 to $28.99. I may look at these and possibly use JC Penney's $10 off coupon this weekend for items $25 and over.

I want to be warm, but since I fully intend to return to better weather, I don't want to pay a lot for it! -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

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Shop at Pier I and win a car! This is one of the best Black Friday promotions I have ever seen!

Pier I will sponsor a nationwide in-store sweepstakes Nov. 28 (Black Friday) through Nov. 30. The grand prize is a 2009 Volkeswagen New Beetle plus a $500 Pier 1 gift card. Five first prize winners will receive a $500 Pier 1 gift card. Just register at your local Pier 1. You are limited to one entry per day during the sweepstakes period.

The drawing will be on or around Dec. 17. For more info and official rules, see pier1.com/car..

I really miss my Beetle so I can't wait to enter. How about you?

Store hours for Thanksgiving weekend are 8 a.m. to 10 Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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Are you heading to Burlington Coat Factory for Black Friday specials?

Here are some of the cool things in their ads:

Hannah Montana or Spiderman jacket for $19.99

Gloria Vanderbilt twill jeans for $7.99

Diamond Accent Pendants for $29.99

You can find all of these ad scans on http://bfads.net/Adscans

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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Looking for more Black Friday advance ads?

Here are the latest ads posted on the Black Friday 2008 Website:

- Staples' 6-item Black Friday Advertisement "Sneak Peak"

- Dell Home's 27-item Black Friday Advertisement

- CVS Pharmacy's 56-item Black Friday Advertisement

- Gander Mountain's 58-item Black Friday Advertisement

- Rite Aid's 47-item Black Friday Advertisement

- Tommy Hilfiger's 8-item Black Friday Advertisement

You can find all of these ad scans on http://bfads.net/Adscans

XOXO-- Shopper Girl

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Earlier this week we told you about http://bfads.net/, a great site that tips you early about Black Friday specials.

Apparently, every year some retailers don't want you to know what their offers are too early. Boo to them.

They keep their lawyers busy with Cease and Desist orders. As of this morning, five have weighed in with their blackouts -- Walmart, Sears, Big Lots, Macy's and Ace Hardware.

Check Lowes.com for the sneak peak of the Lowe's Black Friday ad listing that was leaked by Lowe's. Some of the best buys include a Black & Decker 24-volt, 4-piece Cordless Combo Kit that was $159 for $59.97 and 14-gallon Shop-Vac Wet/Dry Vac that was $89.97 for $29. They also have decor such as the 3-piece 29-inch Bronze Casual Table with two buffet lamps that was $88 for $49. Remember, specials won't be available until Nov. 28. But you can start planning.

Thanks, Lowe's, for being a good sport!

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving when retailers traditionally kick off bargains, is coming around sooner than you think.

The Internet has made it easier than ever to plan your strategy in these cash-strapped times. Check out this cool site -- http://bfads.net/ --to sign up for e-mail alerts on deals, ads and giveaways. They already have info on Walgreens and Sears ads for Black Friday.

Enter this morning before 1 p.m. to win a $25 Gift Certificate to Sears (sponsored by Sears), a $50 Gift Certificate to Target and two BFAds t-shirts.

Just enter once to be eligible for all daily give-aways.

Do you know why it is called Black Friday? It's the first time retailers get in the black (profit column) for the year.

XOXO -- Shopper Girl

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Whether it's Halloween, Thanksgiving or Christmas, Crate & Barrel Outlet at the Sawgrass Mills mall is bound to get you in the holiday mood.

I stopped there on Saturday and found a beautiful table runner 50 percent off, only $19.95. I chose the Alexandra red design, but there's also one with autumn colors (see at right).

Then I found an irrestible item for $6.95: fanciful salt and pepper shakers in the design of snowmen. My friend M collects those for her friend M, so I may pass them on to her. If not, one of my sisters' is getting snowmen as part of her Christmas present.

The snowmen design also is available in a sugar and creamer for $12.95, appetizer plates for $14.95, and tapered candles - snowmen with tall winter hats, 2 for $5.95.

What a fun tabletop for the children in us during the holidays! And at a bargain price, of course. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

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Sam's Club announced today (Thursday, Oct. 16) that it's offering a $10 membership good for 10 weeks for families and businesses not currently members.

Consumers can sign up for Sam shopping privileges on two weekends, Oct. 17-19 and Oct. 24-26. Sam's Club stores are in West Palm Beach, Lantana, Coral Springs, Sunrise, Miramar and Miami.

Sam's Club, Costco and other discount shopping stores are likely to be busy places this holiday season when most of us are trying to S-T-R-E-TCH that dollar. Check it out. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

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No doubt responding to the less-than-cheery retail season expected, Sawgrass Mills outlet mall in Sunrise will open its doors at midnight on Thanksgiving (that's really Friday, Nov. 28).

Sawgrass will have "door busters" and other specials for its midnight opening event.

So if you've had your fill of turkey and pumpkin pie and you need to "walk" it off, try middle-of-the-night shopping at Sawgrass. It will be interesting to see who turns up. -- Marcia "Bargain Hunter" Pounds

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By 10 a.m. Friday, the heavy crowds which had lined up overnight at Best Buy Sawgrass had dissipated and the barracades were gone, but the shopping mania continued as a steady flow of late-comers entered the game.

On approach to the Best Buy, the bumper to bumper cars lined up in the parking lot were evidence of the shortage of parking spaces, but the backlog cleared quickly as cars quickly pulled in and out.

Latecomer Amos Pierre of Oakland Park had no intention of lining up early to get into the store. He left home at 7:30 a.m. but still found good deals, leaving the store just after 10 a.m. Pierre bought a Dynex shredder, a laptop and monitor.

Though door-buster deals were going fast and some sold out, other sales continued throughout the morning, including DVDs for $4.99 each, Sony SR 42 hard drive digital camcorders for $499.99 (with accessories bundle) and a Dynex digital picture frame for $79.99.

At noon, the Best Buy floor was abuzz with activity as hot-ticket items like high definition televisions, MPs players, portable DVD players, and computers continued to fly off the shelves.

--Arlene Satchell
Staff Writer

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Across the street at Comp USA, a few minutes before 1 p.m. the scene was decidedly calmer with fewer people milling about the store at 12170 W. Sunrise Blvd

Many sale item displays no longer had prices posted, a sign that some supplies had been exhausted, but shoppers were searching for deals.

"We didn't wake up early enough for the bargains," said Carlos Sanchez of Sunrise as he shopped with companion Susan Cain at Comp USA.

They were shopping for MP3 players, black DVDs and memory cards and had been to Best Buy and Circuit City earlier in the day.

The prices are better at Comp USA and Best Buy, Cain said.

--Arlene Satchell
Staff Writer

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Pembroke Pines resident Bob Cain got a head start on his Black Friday shopping when he lined at 11 p.m. Thursday at the Circuit City in Pembroke Pines.

Despite waiting for hours and staying until 5 a.m., Cain left the store disappointed, failing to get the $299 Acer desktop computer he wanted.

While sale vouchers had been handed out to customers, none reached Cain and to make matters worse, some shoppers began offering their unused vouchers for sale at $60 apiece, Cain said.

Determined, Cain continued his quest at the Circuit City at 12300 W. Sunrise Blvd, where the nine-year Black Friday veteran got lucky, finding the Acer desktop computer in stock.

Jennifer Cole of Wauchula was visiting sister Kim White of Cooper City and the two were out shopping for Black Friday bargains at Circuit City.

Cole bought the King of Queens DVD set for $12.99 and White, the House DVD set also for $12.99, originally priced at $50.

An earlier shopping stint at Wal-Mart proved fruitful for Cole, who came away with gifts for her daughter -- a Fisher Price Chicken Dance Elmo and a Barbie VW Beetle both priced at $10 each.

Frank Bozarth of Davie had a different shopping strategy Black Friday, especially as he and his wife recently lost their jobs, casualties of the construction downturn.

To avoid the lines and still get good bargains, Bozarth shopped online, but opted for in-store pickup.

"Only parking seems to be a problem," said Bozarth after he pulled into the Circuit City lot around 1:25 p.m., a little surprised to find he didn't have to wait for an open spot.

People have been getting aggravated over parking, Bozarth said, shopping since the wee hours at Sawgrass Mills Mall, Broward Mall and now at Circuit City.

--Arlene Satchell
Staff Writer

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You can usually tell the holiday shopping rush at Town Center by the number of cars parked on the grass by the mall’s main entrance.

The cars were on the grass en masse Friday, but if shoppers searched they might have found one of the mall's 1,000 new parking spaces in a two-story garage by Bloomingdale’s.

The garage, which opened just a week ago, is expected to curb some of the parking crunch at Town Center during the holidays, said Venetia Tiberi, the mall’s marketing director. Shoppers may have missed the garage today, though there are signs to the new spaces, Tiberi said.

“Before long, people will notice,” she said.

-Kathy Bushouse
Staff writer

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It seemed more like a busy Saturday than Black Friday at the Gardens mall.

The mall opened its doors at 8 a.m. At 10 a.m. parking was still plentiful. Some stores -- the Apple store, Macy's, the Gap, Bath and Body Works -- seemed busy, while at other stores clerks stood outside to beckon passing shoppers.

The longest line: Starbucks. The scene hardly evoked images ofa post-Thanksgiving shopping frenzy.

A manageable pace of the holiday rush was just fine with Faith Higgins, 22 of Port St. Lucie. She left home at 6:30 am to hit the sales here, two counties to the south.

"It's very casual," Higgins said. "I like that."

-- Kathy Bushouse
staff writer

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If you are inclined to hit Toys R Us on Black Friday, check out this email I got today. Sounds like there are plenty of ways to save money.

The Door Busters deal goes from 5 a.m. to noon Friday. You can see the deals if you go into the store today (Wednesday); then buy on Friday.

There are also deals on toysrus.com. For example, free shipping on many items. And some savings of up to 60 percent if you shop online on Thanksgiving Day.

K.V.W.

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After my dental hygienist found out I worked for the Sun-Sentinel, she wanted to double-check on when the Black Friday ads were going to be in the paper (primarily Thursday). But then she also asked whether she could find them online. I told her about dealcatcher.com, which has a link to the Black Friday ads.

She then told me about her Black Friday shopping strategies:

-- Make a game plan of where you're going and what you're after.
-- If you're hitting the 5 a.m. deals, show up at 5:05 a.m., after the initial crush has made its way through the doors.
-- And for her, JC Penney had the best deals.

Thanks, Marlene, for the tips and for the shiny teeth.

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South Florida malls are planning to treat early bird shoppers to freebies and perks Friday.

The Friday after Thanksgiving — called Black Friday because it's typically a big sales day for retailers — is considered the official start to the holiday shopping season. Malls in the region are hoping to draw shoppers with special offerings.

Here's a look at what's happening:

Aventura Mall will offer early-bird shoppers valet parking and free Starbucks coffee outside the mall entrance.

The Mall at Wellington Green will pamper some lucky shoppers. The first 100 customers to purchase $500 worth of mall gift cards (in a single transaction) will receive a $100 gift certificate from SpaFinder, redeemable at any of the nearly 4,000 spas worldwide.

At The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens, shoppers can use text messaging to find out about hot Black Friday deals and promotions and be eligible to win prizes. Shoppers can text the mall at 97904 to learn about the day’s special deals.

Then, for the next eight days, Gardens Mall shoppers can text the same number to learn how to register to win a luxury gift basket filled with more than $4,000 worth of merchandise and gift cards.

-- Jaclyn Giovis

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