Bargain hunters start early in LV

Jennifer Shubinski

Friday, Nov. 28, 2003 | 11:07 a.m.

Shoppers hit Las Vegas-area malls and stores in force today, many getting up before dawn to get a jump-start on the crowds and to take advantage of early-morning sales as the holiday shopping season got under way.

Dragging a large KB Toy bag through the Boulevard mall on Maryland Parkway this morning, Kim Slack, 38, said she left her home at 5:30 a.m. to search out deals.

"Wal-Mart is crazy, and at Best Buy I started crying," the Las Vegas resident said about 7 a.m. this morning. "I was there (Best Buy) at 6:30 and everything was almost gone. Getting out of there was crazy."

Retailers hope that today kicks off a strong holiday shopping season. Research firms reported that a stronger economy could help boost this year's sales.

Boulevard mall KB Toy manager Joe Rohr said that there were about 200 people in line for the store's opening at 5 a.m. to rake in early-morning specials on toys.

"Everyone seems very positive and cheerful this year," he said. "They are doing more shopping than browsing."

While the Boulevard mall and some other area malls opened at 7 a.m., several hours earlier than usual, many stores opted to open even earlier -- some at 5 a.m. But for retailers that didn't open early and didn't offer special incentives, business was slow.

Mohammed Akram, manager of Intrigue Jewelers (which opened at 7 a.m. with the mall), said people have done more browsing at his store this morning than shopping. He said he expects buying to pick up later in the day.

"People are looking for early-morning deals," he said.

Pam Spillett, 28, and her sister Michelle Bickel, 23, were on their second mall stop by 7:30 this morning.

"We figured we'd either be up with the kids or we could be shopping," said Bickel, who expects to spend about $500 on gifts this year.

Down the road, hardly a parking space was to be found at the Best on the Boulevard shopping center on Maryland north of Flamingo Road.

Dragging a new steam cleaner to her SUV as cars stalked behind her hoping to nab her space, Veronica Hernandez said even though she started early, 7 a.m., the crowds at Best Buy were unbelievable.

"It is very busy in there -- there are a lot of people," she said as she loaded the steam cleaner and her seven-year-old daughter, Diana Ochoa, into the car. "We're going to the mall next."

At the Barnes & Noble Booksellers in the Best at the Boulevard strip center, the crowds were a little thin this morning. Store manager Lisa Oliva, who opened the shop at 8 a.m., said more shoppers would filter in as the day wears on.

"We expect it to be busy and to have a great day," she said as she arranged a display of books.

Those people who made purchases within the store's opening hour knew what they wanted and did little browsing, Oliva said.

Waiting for the strip mall's Hallmark card store to open, Joan Prodehl said she came to buy cards and wrapping paper, but found the store didn't open early and so she went to Target to do some shopping first.

"Target wasn't too bad," the retired schoolteacher said as employees unlocked the doors to the card store. "I love shopping here."