Thanksgiving Day sales a tradition for Kmart

While many stores were closed Thursday and preparing for Black Friday sales, Kmart was doing what it has since 1991 — welcoming customers on Thanksgiving Day.

“We had 50 people waiting in line when the doors opened at 7 a.m.,” said Joe Weiss, manager of the store at the intersection of Fillmore Street and Nevada Avenue in Colorado Springs.

Not quite the rush associated with the traditional shopping period Thursday night and Friday.

Shopping at Kmart during daylight hours on the holiday instead of waiting for later bargains elsewhere is what brings Mary Anne Cooper to the store.

“I was here earlier this morning,” she said. “I’m back right now for a few things, then coming back after dinner.”

Kristen Vulich, a mother shopping for her two sons, also enjoyed the less hectic atmosphere.

“I don’t do the Black Friday stuff because I don’t like crowds,” she said.

Kmart used discounts of up to 50 percent, and a special Christmas wing of the store, to attract customers.

Weiss said the store would begin Black Friday sales at 7 p.m. Thursday, and stay open all night.