Great deals even for those who chose to sleep in a little

By the time Julie Morrow started her Black Friday shopping at the Super Target on Randall Road in South Elgin, the 500-strong line winding around the building and across the parking lot had dwindled. The drastically reduced big-ticket items like flat-panel TVs already had been snatched up.

But Morrow, of South Elgin, along with hundreds of Super Target shoppers who skipped the insanely early morning alarm, still found great deals on merchandise such as bedding and children's toys.

“The deals are very good,” said Morrow, who started her day at 7:45 a.m. “I think I saved about half on the things that I bought.”

Morrow said she tried to wake her teen daughter at 5:30 a.m., but she wouldn't have it.

Store manager Geno Rio said shoppers began lining up at 7 p.m. Thursday, pitching tents on the sidewalk. The store opened its doors at 4 a.m. Friday.

“Those people I think were here for the TVs,” Rio said. “But there are some great deals across the board.”

Beth Heimbuch of South Elgin, who was shopping for children's clothes and toys, said her husband usually starts shopping at 4 a.m. But Heimbuch said she prefers the later shift when deals are plenty but the crowds less hectic.

“I think the sales are great,” said Heimbuch, who found radio-controlled cars for less than $20. “They're even better than last year, especially on toys.”

The less-crowded conditions at Target also suited Wayne resident Lori Ann Pettey, who was shopping with her daughter, goddaughter and friend. The foursome started their day with a stop at Kohl's at 5 a.m. before heading to Target and ending their shopping excursion with a trip to Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts.

“It is nice, because sometimes you come in and it's so crowded,” Pettey said. “But everything we saw in the flier that we wanted was still here, so that was a good sign for us. We were able to find what we were looking for.”

Deals: People were in line for the TVs