Holiday shopping season kicks off on Thanksgiving

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- For many, Thanksgiving means family, food and football. For others it means shopping.

Hundreds of people stood in line at the Best Buy in Greenfield ahead of the 6 p.m. opening Thursday evening.

“I’m here for a Play Station 4 and a laptop,” said Alex Irizarry, who waited for about three hours.

“Just basically catching a deal on a TV at the moment,” added Will Mendez, who managed to be first in line after arriving four hours before opening.

As people lined up waiting for the store to open, Greenfield police kept everyone safe and warm, handing out coffee and hot chocolate.

“I love this,” said Officer Ben Bambarakos. “Being around people is what I like to do.”

Mendez says he stood in line while his girlfriend stayed in the warm car. And apparently he isn’t the only one who struck that deal.

“I’m actually here with my girlfriend,” said John Story, a holiday shopper. “She’s actually in the car keeping warm. I told her don’t worry, I’ll stand out here. Sit in the car, relax.”

And when the doors finally opened, customers were allowed in 50 at a time, many saving hundreds on TVs, computers and video game systems. The shoppers say it’s the perfect kick-off to the holiday season.

Best Buy closes at 1 a.m. Friday, Nov. 29 but will reopen on Black Friday at 8 a.m.