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NewsNovember 28, 1992

very year, the O'Neil family gathers at Monnie Emerson's home in Advance for the traditional Thanksgiving celebration. But after the turkey's been ravaged and the family has been adequately stuffed, the ladies go shopping. "It's our official Christmas shopping day," said Emerson. "We do this every year, and sometimes we even buy gifts for someone other than ourselves."...

very year, the O'Neil family gathers at Monnie Emerson's home in Advance for the traditional Thanksgiving celebration.

But after the turkey's been ravaged and the family has been adequately stuffed, the ladies go shopping.

"It's our official Christmas shopping day," said Emerson. "We do this every year, and sometimes we even buy gifts for someone other than ourselves."

The three sisters started at the west end of West Park Mall at 10 a.m. Friday, and by 6:30 p.m., they had almost made it to the other side.

"We go into every store, we look at things, we try things on, we get ideas for gifts," said Peggy Vanover. "We even try things on that aren't our size just to see if they'll fit."

"We started at Wal-Mart in Poplar Bluff last night," said Barbara Norman. "We hauled home two car loads of stuff."

"We've spent the whole day here: We took a lunch break and a soda and cookie break," said Emerson. "I just hope my husband wasn't expecting me to make dinner."

Shoppers were out in full force on Friday for the traditional kickoff of the Christmas shopping season - and the retailers were ready for them.

Retail stores throughout the area were swamped on Friday with bargain hunters, window shoppers and those people who just wanted to get a jump on their shopping.

The rows of the parking lot at West Park Mall were filled nearly to the outer road all day.

The center court area became a husband-gallery with the steps lined with men awaiting their wives to finish perusing the shops. Children bolted from store to store - wary parents in tow - making their Christmas wish-list a little longer.

"We've had a very busy day," said Rick Hessenkemper, manager of Venture. "It looks to be a very good shopping season for us all."

Venture opened its doors to the holiday shoppers at 7 a.m. on Friday.

"There were a lot of people waiting outside when we unlocked the doors," Hessenkemper said.

Many of the area store managers shared Hessenkemper's enthusiasm about the day.

"We've been swamped all day," said Jo Sharp, manager of Famous Barr. In preparation for the increased sales and longer store hours, Famous Barr hired about 50 people to bolster its sales staff.

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Sharp says that the popular items in her store this year are sweaters, bread makers, food dehydrators, perfume and cosmetic gift sets and ladies' hand bags.

Other stores, like Central Hardware in Cape Girardeau and Sanders Hardware in Jackson, sold predominantly Christmas trees, trim-a-tree accessories and other holiday decorations.

Hardware stores are reportedly selling a lot of barbecue grills, halogen lamps, electric heaters and garage door openers this year.

Woolworth's and Ben Franklin, who specialize in stocking craft supplies, said that a lot of people came out on Friday to buy their materials.

"We can't really gauge the kinds of things we're selling, because people come in here with their own ideas - their own creations - in their heads and buy the materials for them," said Craig Stevens, manager of Ben Frankin. "We do, however, sell a lot of things to make ornaments and Christmas decorations."

Toys R Us was bustling with activity. Joe Lukazsky, a representative from the store's office, said that since there was no "must have" item for this Christmas season, the stores have been able to stock a large quantity of several different toys.

"We've got a little bit of everything," Lukazsky said. "And that's good for everyone."

So you're wondering what to buy this Christmas season? Jewelry, clothing, perfume and cosmetics, leather coats, electronics, toys, kitchen gadgets, neckties and books appear to be the hottest tickets in most area stores.

But whether you're shopping for yourself or for your family, one thing all the retailers are happy to report is that people are buying things.

"We've had a record-setting day," said Harry Rediger, manager of JCPenney. "(At 5 p.m. on Friday) we've already passed last year's day-after-Thanksgiving sales total."

Rediger said that some years, when the economy is slow, that people turn out for the first day of the holiday shopping season, but they do a lot of looking ... not a lot of buying.

"We've got a buying crowd this year, and that's good news for everyone," Rediger said.

Mary Lou Henton, regional manager of The Plaza Galleria stores echoes Rediger's optimistic outlook. "It looks to be a really good season; I'm really pleased," Henton said.

Scott Shivelbine, owner of Shivelbine's Music and president of the Downtown Merchant's Association, is looking forward to a prosperous year for downtown merchants as well.

"We've had a lot of traffic in and out of here all day," Shivelbine said. "And cars are lined up and down the streets."

The Associated Press reports that analysts have predicted this year's Christmas sales would be better than 1991's. First Chicago Corp. economist Diane Swonk has predicted a 10.5 percent rise in Christmas sales throughout the Midwest.

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