Black Friday: Shoppers Get a Head Start on Discounts

Cold weather and late night hours never seem to keep shoppers away from discounts — even if it means waiting in line for hours or days.

Black Friday kicked off early throughout the region, with some stores opening as early as Thanksgiving Day.

By 10 p.m. Thursday, long lines intertwined and wrapped around inside of the Target store at the Fremont Hub. From large, flat screen televisions and DVDs with slashed prices to clothes, accessories and toys, shoppers' carts were full of an array of items.

An employee estimated that approximately 300 individuals were in line before the store's 9 p.m. opening.

Bundled up in warm clothes, Union City residents Tanya and Veronica Rodriguez and Hayward resident Karla Arana expressed excitement about ULTA Beauty's midnight opening.

By 10:40 p.m., a half dozen women were lined up outside of ULTA, which sells cosmetics, fragrances and beauty supplies.

Why didn't they mind waiting another hour in the cold?

"We're crazy," joked Tanya Rodriguez.

Veronica Rodriguez added, "A girl's got her needs."

"A girl will do anything for make-up," Karla Arana said.

Enthusiasm for what is known as the start of holiday shopping season was even expressed by an ULTA employee who was waiting outside of the store before his midnight to 7 a.m. shift.

ULTA employee Maynor Orellana has worked in a retail store during a previous Black Friday event but was optimistic that being a specialty store, ULTA will be a little "less hectic."

Orellana noted that employees worked hard before Black Friday arrived to ensure that it received all shipments and merchandise to stay stocked throughout the day.

Did you head out before midnight to go shopping, or do you wake up before 5 a.m. for morning door busters during Black Friday? Share your shopping secrets in our comments section below and post your Black Friday photos above.