TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – Dozens braved the 40ºF weather to get a good spot in line for Black Friday shopping at Academy Sports + Outdoors in Tyler.

As soon as the doors slid open, shoppers were on a mission to find everything from bikes to clothes to trampolines to mini G-Wagons for kids.

The National Retail Federation predicts Americans will spend about $989 billion between Black Friday, the weekend and Cyber Monday. A record-breaking 183.4 million people are expected to shop Friday, 65 percent of them in-person.

For some, the day is less about spending money and more about spending time together.

“It’s a tradition, we always start off our Black Friday at Academy,” said Maci Johnston, who shops every year with her mom, sisters and best friends.

“It kind of became our tradition together,” said Melissa Lewis, reminiscing on shopping with her mom in the past.

The tradition of waking up early and hitting several stores spans three generations for one East Texas family.

“We’ve been doing it for so long, I haven’t known anything else,” said Jessica Roppolo, who was joined by almost the entire usual “Black Friday Squad” as their matching shirts read. One cousin wasn’t able to join this year and in her place, the family carried around laminated cutouts of her picture to have her there in spirit.

Melissa Lewis brought her dog Luigi to join in the festive fun. Much to his disappointment, “I didn’t – haven’t gotten him anything yet, but he’s very spoiled,” Lewis said.

She did say there will be gifts under the tree with his name on it, despite her lack of dog shopping at Academy.

Copyright 2024 KLTV. All rights reserved.