Shoppers turn out on season's final weekend

Cindy Tolleson couldn't stop smiling.

"I love this time of year," the Lombard resident said. "And I love Christmas shopping. I only have a few things left to get, mostly for stockings. But being out here is part of the fun for me."

Jeff Hawes' expression was a little more grim. The Elgin resident said he's behind on his holiday shopping, and hoped to get caught up this weekend. "One of these days I'll get this all done sooner," he said.

Tolleson and Hawes were among those who braved the morning snow to shop at Lombard's Yorktown Center on Saturday.

The mall was busy but not chaotic during the late-morning hours. Families were a common sight, as parents brought their children to visit with Santa Claus or ride Yorktown's Express Train.

"My granddaughter should be seeing Santa right now," Tolleson said. "It's all she's talked about for days."

This is the last weekend before Christmas, and Yorktown officials said they expect good crowds. But the true story of the holiday shopping season won't be known until later, Marketing Director Lindsey Burke said.

"So far, sales have been trending at about 1 percent to 2 percent higher than last year," Burke said. "But actually, Christmas Eve is usually one of our biggest days, so this coming week will really make the picture clear for us."

Professional athletes did their part to bring people to Yorktown on Saturday. Fergie Jenkins, a baseball Hall of Famer who pitched for the Chicago Cubs' star-crossed 1969 team, appeared at Sports 'N More to sign autographs during the morning. Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Sharp was scheduled to appear in the afternoon. (More hockey signings are scheduled for today; visit yorktowncenter.com for information.)

"I didn't know (Jenkins) was going to be here today, but now I have an extra gift for my dad," said Villa Park resident Bill Simons, holding a freshly autographed ball. "He's a huge Cubs fan."