Black Friday shoppers take over outlet mall in Cabazon

Holiday shopping hours took a bigger bite out of Thanksgiving Day this year for retailers across the country and in the desert. It gave shoppers a head start to cash in on Black Friday deals.

Shoppers from around the globe pulled all-nighters or were up before the sun to storm Desert Hills Premium Outlets in Cabazon for the biggest shopping frenzy of the year.

“Sales. Clothes. Shopping,” said 12-year-old Breanna Day from Clairemont.

“We got some shoes from Nike. We went to Coach, a lot of places,” said 7-year-old Giselle Nix.

The outlet mall opened at 10 a.m. Thanksgiving morning and stayed open through all of Black Friday. It features 50 new shops this year, keeping bargain hunters on their toes and racing to score deals of 30 percent off to 80 percent off.

“These (shoes) came from the Nike store. They were originally $79.99. I got them on sale for $49.99,” said LaShantae Neal, of Los Angeles.

“We have savvy shoppers. They want a bargain and know exactly what they want. They go to get it and they’re happy,” said Dottie Montana, general manager of Desert Hills Premium Outlets.

Some people said the crowds were a little thinner than most years, but lines outside of Prada, Gucci and Burberry were proof that many shoppers waited more than two hours to squeeze into the shops.

“I got three hours of sleep. I had to be back here at 7,” said Hurley employee, Brandy Olive.

“It’s a tradition for us. We stay up all night, drink Starbucks and head home,” said shopper Katrina Nix.