'DWTS' champs Davis, Chmerkovskiy greet fans in Deer Park
Shoppers at Deer Park Town Center must have been checking their calendars to make sure it wasn't Black Friday.
The line of people pouring out the doors of the Vera Bradley store Sunday - with a few Lake County sheriff's deputies in the mix to keep order - wasn't there for deals, but to meet "Dancing with Stars" champions Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy.
Davis, who also claimed Olympic gold in ice dancing at the 2014 Sochi Games, and the professional dancer reunited this year for the "Shall We Dance on Ice" program.
Among those lined up to meet the pair was Justin Everett of Hoffman Estates, who said he showed up as a gesture to his mother, Debbie Everett, and took a picture with the couple to prove he was there.
"This is actually for my mom, who is a massive fan (of "Dancing With the Stars")," he said. "She can't be here today, so I stood in line for two and a half hours. This is going to be a great Christmas present for her. It's a big surprise."
Davis was the draw for one pair of sisters.
"It was really cool," said Sarah Gonyon of Arlington Heights. "I watched Meryl in the Olympics - and I love the Olympics - so it was really cool meeting an Olympian in person."
"We both love to watch the Olympics," her sister, Emily Gonyon, added. "That's the main reason we came here."
Edyta Saverino of Elk Grove stood in line with her 10-year-old daughter Karolina, who has been involved with rhythmic gymnastics since the age of 4.
"One day she wants to be in the Olympics, so she is eager to meet Meryl," she said.
Vera Bradley is one of the sponsors for "Shall We Dance on Ice," said Melissa Schenkel, public relations manager for Vera Bradley Inc.