Nearly 100 people stood outside KB Toys store in the Fingerlakes Mall, waiting for the doors to open at midnight on Black Friday. The store was one of the first to open in the Auburn area this year.

While local stores projected the day's sales would be successful, the downward spiral of the economy probably influenced the store's decision to open early, said manager Danielle Abar.

“We wanted to get a jump-start on the rest of the stores opening up at 5 a.m. We wanted to get a little bit of an advantage,” she said.

By 2 a.m., the store already sold many items and anything Barbie was flying off the shelves. Abar estimated a couple thousand people came through the store during the day.

“I think we're doing extremely well. We've got a lot of good sales going on and people are taking advantage of that,” she said.

Other stores also boasted success. On Friday afternoon, Bass Pro Shops had almost 60 people camping out in the parking lot Thursday for the Great Turkey Camp Out, said general manager Jeff Burdick. And there were approximately 200 people waiting outside before the store opened at 6 a.m.

“Everything was awesome,” Burdick said.

Burdick believes there were so many people waiting outside because the store advertised the lowest prices on GPS devices in comparison to other retailers this year, he said.

He predicts the rest of the season will go just as well.

“We're going to continue to do very well. With everything we've invested this year, it's really been a win-win,” he said.

Kelley Rockefeller saved $77 at Wal-Mart and $76 at J.C. Penney Friday, she said. Rockefeller, of Clifton Springs, and her friend Amy VanCamp, of Phelps, decided not to wait in line with the crowd until the stores started opening. They got to the stores at 6 a.m.

“If it's meant to be, we'll get it,” VanCamp said.

Rockefeller was mostly shopping for toys and clothes. She said the economy had no impact on her decision to shop on Black Friday.

“It hasn't affected it at all. I've got kids, I have to shop. I'll be shopping all the way through Christmas,” she said.

But Linda Miller has felt the crunch of the economy and it has definitely played a role in her gift ideas for the 2008 holiday season, she said.

Miller, of East Syracuse, drove to Aurelius to shop at Bass Pro Shops. She said the best deal she found was a $10 fleece jacket.

While she still has a few more items she will need to buy before Christmas, Miller decided to give more practical gifts this year, such as buying more clothing rather than toys for her grandchildren, she said.

Still, other shoppers did not believe there were many deals during Black Friday.

“I didn't really think anything was really special. I think items were priced the way they should be and then discounted,” said Felicia Dahl, of Seneca Falls. “But I don't really think anything is that great.”

This was Dahl's first time shopping during Black Friday and she didn't start until almost noon, she said. Dahl, who was shopping with her two children, does not believe the economy influenced her decision to shop and said she will continue to purchase items until Christmas.

“I don't think it's affected anything, I just do what I do,” she said.

Local businesses shared similar success stories as the bigger chain stores. Liberty Store owner Marty Goldman said he had more than 300 customers in his store throughout the day. He runs a 25 percent off promotion during Black Friday. Goldman predicted people will shop at his store throughout the holiday season.

“I think it's going to continue right until the very end,” he said.

Sam's Shoe Service had a steady flow of people Friday, said owner Sam Chindamo Jr. People who came to the store knew he would have what they needed in stock, he said. And although the “Black Friday world” is geared more toward electronics, Chindamo's store has items that can be bought as last-minute gifts. He also anticipates the steady flow to increase as Christmas gets closer.

“I will probably get busier. I tend to get busier the closer it gets to Christmas,” he said. “My stuff, they know I have it. When it's convenient for (people), they come and get it.”