Shoppers rush to retail stores

An Arctic cold front that brought steady rain and a 30-degree drop in temperatures did not deter shoppers from Black Friday sales in the city Friday.
The day after Thanksgiving has become a sort of holiday of its own as shoppers rush to retailers looking for the best buys in preparation for Christmas.
That was the case in Russellville Friday as crowds gathered at the Wal-Mart Supercenter throughout the night and were ready to make their way to the checkout lines as soon as they were able to grab the items they wanted at 5 a.m.

On-duty Russellville police officers patrolled the store making sure anxious customers followed the store’s shopping policies that day and received tickets ahead of their purchases.

Shawna Rutherford said she made her way to Russellville from Lawrence County to purchase a television that was discounted for Black Friday.

“People have been standing back there for hours, it looks like, so I guess I am out of luck,” she said as she walked out of the store.

“I didn’t really realize people came as early as they did.”

Charles Pounders, of Russellville, said he had been waiting inside the store since about 1 a.m. Friday and he was able to get the item he wanted.

Black Friday sales were expected to be good at several city retailers, including Peeble’s and Burke’s.

Many county residents appeared to be traveling to the Shoals area early Friday, but local stores still expected sales to be up.