Registers ring
By Kirsten Ballard and Steve Herring
Published in News on December 21, 2014 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/STEVE HERRING
Five-month-old Jayen Smith doesn't seem bothered by all of the hectic rush of holiday shoppers Saturday afternoon as his mother, Macie Mooring, and grandmother, Joyce Mooring, were shopping at Belk. They even used his stroller as a shopping cart for their purchases.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Judy Roberson searches for a last-minute gift for her friend at Jezebelles on Friday. Many people are rushing to the stores to find something extra for someone they love or even start their holiday shopping.
What did it take to get people out shopping on a raw and rainy Saturday when parking spaces were harder to find than Santa's secret workshop?
For Ronnie and Lisa Newkirk of Goldsboro, it was gifts for their four granddaughters.
For Lanelle Sutton of Dudley, it was a chance to shop with her mother, Diana Sutton of Dudley, at Berkeley Mall.
"My mama asked me to come out here with her, and I said, 'The Saturday before Christmas? You really want me to go?'" Lanelle Sutton said. "She said yes. I thought about it and said, 'Yeah. I will go out there with you.'
"She could not find what she wanted right yet. So we are going to have to try again."
But not Saturday night, she said.
"We are going home, but we will be back out," Lanelle said. "We are still going to hit that Christmas last-minute rush, it looks like."
Her mother said she couldn't say what she is shopping for because it was a gift for husband and she didn't want him to read about it in the newspaper.
But regardless of the reason, shoppers were out in force just as they had been during Friday's much milder and drier weather.
While parking was packed close to the doors at Kmart and Berkeley Mall, there were some spaces farther out for those who would rather walk than circle the parking lot.
Inside, the stores were just as busy.
"You should see the lines in these places," Diana said. "Oh, man. They are hopping. It is busy, busy, busy."
But even with the rush, shoppers for the most part appeared to be patient and in the holiday spirit, the two said.
The Newkirks said it was the same at Kmart.
"It is crazy all over," Ronnie Newkirk said. "It was crowded."
But it was a friendly atmosphere, Linda Newkirk said.
But that could change by Tuesday night, she added.
The Newkirks had made the rounds Saturday starting the day around 7 a.m. before finishing up, at least for the day, at Kmart around 5 p.m.
Next on the agenda was home, television and popcorn, Ronnie said.
For people still shopping, the couple offered some simple advice.
"Don't spend money that you don't have," Lisa said. "Be patient. Don't try to get the biggest thing because you still have to live in January and February."
Kmart's parking lot was full on Friday.
LaShanda Faison couldn't even find a spot.
She was shopping with her friend Malika Atkinson. Both women were shopping for their children.
With only days left until Christmas, many shoppers were starting to feel the pressure to find last-minute gifts.
LaShanda pushed a cart full of toys that she found on the stocked shelves. She said everything she was looking for had been in stock.
The other half of her purchases had been stored in the layaway section.
"I was trying not to spend money, even though I have to spend it anyway," she laughed.
Her shopping wasn't done at Kmart though. After she checked out, she was Walmart-bound to finish up other presents.
In line, Cindi Pate was marking her children's presents off her mental list.
"I have a list, but it's in my head," she said. "I know what is in each store and I go in to get that thing."
Cindi slightly regretted waiting so late.
"Everybody is sold out," she said. "But we'll manage."
She said the lines haven't been too bad, but there was still a bit of a wait.
"Unfortunately, I still have more to do," she said. After checking out, she was going to the mall.
Cindi is putting off her wrapping until Dec. 24, so her children would not be able to guess what she bought.
"It's hard to disguise what it is," she said, gesturing to the oblong packages in her cart.
At Jezebelles Boutique, Judy Roberson kept getting distracted.
"I came in here to get something for a friend of mine," she said. Her arms were full of fashionable gifts.
"It's stuff for me," she laughed.
Employee Alyssa Spell said it is common for Jezebelles' patrons to end up shopping for themselves instead.
"We have buy one, get one, so they usually get one half for a friend and the other half for themselves," Alyssa said.
She said last-minute shoppers were enjoying the deals on tunics, scarves and boot cuffs.
"We're a boutique. People can't leave without getting something."