Vicki McKenty

Warrenville

Kohl's at Charlestowne Mall, St. Charles

15-piece cookware set

Regular price: $99.99

Sale price: $29.99 ($19.99 after $10 mail-in rebate)

"That is the best deal," she said. She praised Kohl's "linebuster" checkout system, which involved a single line, airport style, with employees guiding shoppers to the next available register. "The lines were really quick here this year, as opposed to last year."

Denise Harrison

White Lake, Mich.

Kohl's at Charlestowne Mall, St. Charles

An El Paso Chile Co. Quesadilla Maker and a Bella Rocket Blender.

Regular price: The quesadilla maker is normally $39.99

Sale price: $19.99, plus a $10 mail-in rebate. The blender was on sale for $19.99, and also had a $10 rebate.

"It was just what my kids were wanting," she said of her children in college and high school.

Elizabeth Spaeth

St. Charles

Kohl's at Charlestowne Mall, St. Charles

Toys

Regular price: Varied

Sale price: Half off

"I meant to be here at 4, but I fell asleep after feeding the baby," she said. The mother of three had marked the pages of her Kohl's circular with orange stickers. She was especially thrilled to find a "Ni-Hao, Kai-lan" 24-piece puzzle, based on the popular television cartoon. "The 'Kai-lan' puzzle will be a big hit at my house."

Thad Anderson

St. Charles

Kohl's at Charlestowne Mall, St. Charles

"Hello, Kitty" furry backpack purse

Regular price: $17

Sale price: $10.20

"How can you go wrong?" asked Anderson. Anderson was doing his annual "needy family" shopping in which he and a group of friends buy gifts for the less fortunate.

Chris Wyller

Batavia

Kohl's at Charlestowne Mall, St. Charles

Chaps men's jacket

Regular price: $69.50

Sale price: $34.75

Wyller was buying birthday and Christmas gifts with his wife, Cheryl. "It's not too crazy," he said of the crowds at 7:30 a.m.