About 300 shoppers lined up outside Toys R Us Thursday, some for more than 12 hours, waiting for Black Friday deals from the toy retailer.
Like other chains this year, Toys R Us opened earlier than ever — at 9 p.m. — on Thanksgiving Day, hoping to get an early start on holiday sales.
It was the first Black Friday shopping event for Eddie Kam of Punaluu, who usually stays home Thanksgiving night because he has to work the following day. But with Toys R Us opening earlier and family members regaling him with stories of big sales, he wanted to experience the rush himself.
"I can’t wait to see what happens when I go inside," he said.
He arrived with his family at about 4 p.m. after an early Thanksgiving meal with his grandmother.
"We’re doing the family thing," he said. His wife, Salynn, said the previous year she had to wait in line after arriving late, and the weather was bad. This year there was entertainment in the parking lot, courtesy of KCCN FM 100, and portable bathrooms.
"This year is much better," she said.
Deborah Sharkey, spokeswoman for Pearlridge Center, said the line was about the same as last year when Toys R Us opened at 10 p.m., but officials expected people to be waiting so they provided music and restrooms. She said people waiting in line were studying the store ad with "doorbuster" sales such as a $50 gift card when buying a $199 iPod or an Android tablet by Sylvania for $74.99. Many items were on sale for 40 or 50 percent off.
The first person in line, Kale Rego of Waianae, got there with his wife at 6:30 a.m. so he could get a ticket the store hands out for big sale items and also get through the store before the aisles become too crowded and the toys are gone from the shelves.
About 50 people behind Rego, Taesia Love, 22, of Aiea recalled that last year she showed up late and had to wait in line for six hours. This year she was on her way home when she saw people lining up at about 2 p.m. and decided to get in line. Eventually her boyfriend brought a canopy tent, and she reclined with her Chihuahua-fox terrier Brucie on a portable chaise longue.
"It’s faster to wait this amount of time and then be able to get in quicker and get a better deal," she said. She had a list for about 15 children and likes shopping at Toys R Us because it sells the most popular toys.
"I can be the cool auntie," she said.
She made it home for Thanksgiving dinner when other people in the line held her spot, but it wasn’t a relaxing meal.
"That was the fastest I ever ate," she said.
While waiting in line, her boyfriend won tickets from KCCN FM 100 to see comedian Gabriel Iglesias at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.
"I’m so glad I stayed," she said.
