The lines are long, the crowds are deep and patience is wearing thin.
Black Friday is no place for children, it seems, but area day cares are not seeing many parents seeking out someone to watch their little ones while they take advantage of shopping bargains.
Begin With Us Child Care and Preschool Inc. President and Executive Director Jolie Cover remembered going Black Friday shopping last year with her daughter, and seeing children crying and complaining while facing the cold, long lines, crowds and rushing.
Article Photos
Mirror photo by J.D. Cavrich
Eli Cooper (left) and Brynley Rouzer get help with their chalk drawings from preschool group supervisor Maisha O’Neal at Begin with Us Childcare and Preschool.
She encourages parents not to take their children out shopping because they don't enjoy it.
As for business, "Black Friday is just really another operational day for us," she said.
They won't have as many children as they typically do, because parents also have time off from work, she said.
Only about a handful will take advantage of the day care service for shopping, while most are working people, she said.
Those parents who are Black Friday shoppers are "cute," because she will hear them talking about going shopping and out to breakfast with their sisters or aunts, she said.
She is expecting 30 to 40 percent of their normal capacity on Black Friday, she said.
Walgrove's Daycare Preschool owner Lori Mitchell said they have not had a big demand for child care from Black Friday shoppers.
Hollidaysburg's Nest Egg day care is closed Black Friday.
Black Friday is trickling over into Thanksgiving Day with retailers getting a jump on the most infamous shopping day of the year.
Cover was not in favor of it.
She said it is a special day to spend time bonding with family and to show thanks for what they do have. It's also a time to remember the sacrifices made for the country, which needs to make a return to family values.
"They have Friday and the weekend to shop," she said.
Mirror Staff Writer Amanda Gabeletto is at 949-7030.
