$10 Jeans Brought Crowds To Patriot Place Black Friday

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Jeans for $10, that's what had everyone in a craze as they braved the freezing temperatures and made their way to Bass Pro Shop at Patriot Place the morning of Black Friday.

Bass Pro Shop appeared to value people's post-Thanksgiving sleep - it was by and large the busiest store there, but it didn't open until 5 a.m.

Gillette Stadium's outdoor shopping plaza didn't completely avoid the midnight rush, however. Victoria's Secret still opened at 12 a.m., and ULTA Beauty was not too far behind at 12:30 a.m. Besides those two stores, the rest of the Patriot Place's stores didn't open until several hours later.

The store's $10 jean sale has become a big reason why David Ward and his family drive almost 50 minutes from Burrillville, R.I., every Black Friday.

"We get a lot of stuff, not just here. I'm the escort," Ward said. His wife was planning on spending a lot of time at the Christmas Tree Shop, but they were probably going to most of the stores at the outdoor shopping plaza, he said.

Lines were forming outside before Bass Pro opened, but some people chose to stay in the warmth of their cars. One woman, while making her way toward the store, tripped and fell, store manager Jeff Moschella told Patch. An ambulance was called as an abundance of caution, but Moschella said she was okay.

When people made their way inside, they were immediately greeted with holiday spirit, free coffee and doughnuts, and serenaded by Mansfield's The Merry Christmas Carolers.

George Chmieleci, the bass voice, said the group has been together for 20 years. They started performing on Black Friday at Bass Pro Shop a few years ago. The Merry Christmas Carolers have been invited back every year, Chmieleci said.

"We try in helping ease pressure shopping and bring holiday cheer," Chmieleci said. "It's such a unique event. I mean, we sing Christmas Carols at four in the morning. We start the season off right."

Seeing elderly shoppers smile and reminding them of their youth is what Geralyn Szczesuil, the group's soprano loves most about Black Friday caroling.

"I love to bring the smiles back to the older people. It's nice to bring back the tradition of singing," she said.

Other stores didn't have carolers, but some like the Christmas Tree Shop opened a few minutes early to let patient shoppers get out of the cold. There wasn't a huge line outside the Christmas Tree Shop or Bed Bath & Beyond. Most people elected to stay in their cars. Close by at the Plainville Target, the dedicated shoppers were still out in full force. One family told Patch they had been waiting outside the store since 8 p.m., Thursday.

Doreen Giguere and her son Jonathan were among those first inside at the Christmas Tree Shop. She said the two of them usually go shopping together after Thanksgiving; this year they started bright and early at the Walpole Kohl's, which opened at 1 a.m. Giguere said she's also noticed the stores haven't been as busy the last few Black Fridays.

"It was like this last year, it hasn't been as crazy," Gigguere said. "For me anyways, my kids are getting older. I don't have to buy toys anymore."

Others like Leah Carlson used to go out more for Black Friday. She and her friend, Elyse Lucas used to always take part in the midnight rush. Since Carlson had a baby though, she's chosen to wait for the morning and has been more casual about the shopping. Despite this, she still would rather go in the store instead of waiting for Cyber Monday.

"I still love the excitement, Carlson said. "I like going shopping for other people. I like getting a lot of presents for other people to open."

Photos by Jimmy Bentley, Patch