COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, Utah (ABC4 News) – When people think of Thanksgiving, they think of turkey, family and football, but now retail stores are trying to add shopping to that list.
Wal Mart and Toys R’Us will open at 8pm Thursday and Target will open at 9pm, in a push for the public to spend money on a day meant for giving thanks.
Yet, not everyone likes the idea of “Black Thursday.”
“I don’t like it,” Laurie Bird, a shopper said. “I just like spending time with my family on Thanksgiving.”
That’s exactly how some store workers feel. A California Target employee is circulating an online petition asking Target’s CEO to save Thanksgiving by saying not to the “Thanksgiving Creep.”
The petition had nearly 200,000 supporters as of Tuesday night.
Shopper Brian Utley said he understands and supports the woman’s petition. He used to work in retail and said the holiday season is the most hectic and chaotic time for employees.
While shoppers sympathize with workers, a few still want door buster bargains.
“Sometimes you don’t even get the best deals,” Kendra Webster, another shopper, said. “But it’s fun to get up early with your family. It’s a tradition.”
A tradition starting earlier each year, turning Thanksgiving into a retail holiday.
“I think retail stores need to give people a break,” Utley added. “You know, it is Thanksgiving.”
