FRACKVILLE - In an effort to capitalize on the last major shopping day of the year, The Bon-Ton at the Schuylkill Mall opened its doors at 6 a.m. Monday, two hours before the mall.
"Actually, the day after Christmas is one of our biggest selling days of the year," John Boran, Bon-Ton manager, said Monday afternoon. "It gives people an opportunity to use the gift cards and cash they received for Christmas."
There were many shoppers returning gifts Monday afternoon, but there may have been just as many shoppers coming to the mall for the after-holiday sales.
"It was a big day for sales in the shoe, cosmetics and year-end sales departments," Boran said. "We are very pleased with the traffic at the mall throughout the season. Statistics show the economy is pointing up and we are beginning to feel it."
Hannah Bosevich and her mother, Helen, both of Frackville, said they didn't need to return anything at the mall. They just came to check out some of the sales after they went out for breakfast in the morning.
"You can't beat it," Helen Bosevich said as she tried on some winter hats.
Hannah Bosevich said she saw Peanuts decorations that move and play holiday music when she was Christmas shopping last week. She said she saved 40 percent when she bought the entire set on Monday.
"It's more fun to shop after the holidays," Hannah Bosevich said. "There's actually less people out than I thought there was going to be. I think there's more people returning gifts."
Carol Tempest, Barnesville, said she came to the mall Monday to return some shoes that did not fit.
"I was off today and my husband was working, so I had some time to myself," Tempest said while browsing the store. "I think there's a lot more people getting gift cards for Christmas."
Sisters Carrie Garrison and Debbie Ellis, both of Michigan, said they were looking for some deals as they visit family for Christmas.
"Relatives moved here two years ago and we've been coming here ever since," Garrison said. "We came to the mall last year the day after Christmas, too. There's been quite the deals."
They said some of the stores at the mall, like Boscov's, aren't available in Michigan.
"What you don't get under the tree, you have to get yourself," Ellis said.