Ready, Set, Shop! "Gray Thursday" in Full Swing - ABC5 News Des Moines, IA

Ready, Set, Shop! "Gray Thursday" in Full Swing

Jessica Daley

jdaley@myabc5.com

@TheDaleyReport

The rush is on... Forget Black Friday, plenty of stores joined in on the new "Gray Thursday" concept. Many stores opened up Thursday evening, before the turkey was even digested.

"We're waiting to get the XBOX and get a good deal on that and some college stuff," said Abby Thomsen of Carroll, who was one of the first in line at Target in West Des Moines at 3:00 p.m. Target opened at 9 p.m., earlier than ever before.

"iPad, TV's, couple TV's actually," was the focus for Maximilian Zimin of Urbandale at the Best Buy in West Des Moines.

Everyone's got their shopping list and is checking it twice not to forget anything they could save big money on.

All these shoppers at Target and Best Buy braving the cold for hours keep their eyes on the prize.

"I figure all the stuff we might pick up, we could save $1500," estimated Robert Aikin of Marshalltown.

Some are planning, like Thomsen. "We're talking to each other about who's going to go where. You guys hit the electronics. We'll hit the clothes."

Others are keeping themselves entertained. Zimin said waiting in line isn't much different than his normal Thanksgiving plans.

"Eating and drinking. That's what I'm doing here too. So this is fun."

"I know everybody's been driving by laughing at us thinking we're crazy and everything," Aikin said. "But if you can get here and get some of the doorbuster deals you can save a lot of money."

Shoppers said they've warmed up to the idea of spending Thanksgiving in a lawn chair or tent wrapped in a blanket outside a store.

"I was a little nervous about it in the first place," Thomsen said. "I wanted to have Thanksgiving with the family, but we did an earlier Thanksgiving and we made up for it. So we're out here."

Since everyone kept good spirits while waiting in line, hopefully that will carry over into the aisles.