Toys 'R Us opens doors to Black Friday shoppers Thursday night

MILWAUKEE -- Black Friday began before Thanksgiving Thursday was even over for some stores -- including Toys 'R Us. The store opened its doors at 8:00 Thursday night and the holiday shopping season officially began.

Tom Brooks set up his hot dog stand near the Toys 'R Us store on Milwaukee's south side, hoping to feed some hungry shoppers Thursday night. 

"They're going to be sick of turkey. I've got footlongs in there. I've got kielbasa, I've got Italian bratwurst, all-beef smoked sausage," Brooks said.

Sarah Hand was one of those shoppers looking to be among the first to take advantage of the Toys 'R Us deals.

"Legos. 40% off. That's all my son wants. That's it!" Hand said.

Damari Lopez was first in line. He told FOX6 News he had been waiting since 1:00 Thursday afternoon. Last year, she was fourth in line.

"Very, very proud. I worked harder this year," Lopez said.

It is the tradition of shopping on Black Friday that brought Tiffany Hartwig out, even though she was at Toys 'R Us on what's being called "Gray Thursday" -- due to the earlier and earlier store opening times. 

While some say standing in line to get the good deals is how they'd prefer to spend their Thanksgiving, others told FOX6 News they'd rather be at home.

"I'd rather be doing this. I was at home trying to help out, running around like a nut," Hartwig said.

"There's wine at home," Hand said.

At 8:00 p.m., the doors opened and the registers were busy. Meanwhile, Brooks waited for hungry shoppers to hit up his stand.

"It's something to do -- make a little extra money," Brooks said.

The doors opened at 8:00 p.m. at Toys 'R Us and will stay open through 10:00 p.m. Friday.

K-Mart opened at 6:00 a.m. Thanksgiving morning. The store closed for awhile Thursday afternoon, but was set to reopen for Black Friday at 8:00 p.m. Thursday. 

Gander Mountain was also open Thursday, as the state's gun deer hunting season runs through Sunday.