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VIDEO: Some ditch malls, visit state parks on Black Friday

Vince Cestone

SANTA CLARA COUNTY (KRON) — Black Friday is playing out with the usual madness at the malls amid the hunt for bargains.

But there are alternatives as some people are opting out of Black Friday, especially on an unseasonably warm day like Friday.


With his son only recently taking his first steps, the last thing on his mind for Tim Valentine was shopping malls.

Instead, he strolled with his family along the Los Gatos Creek Trail.

“No, I can’t even imagine that,” Valentine said. “I am from the northwest, and this time of year, we are usually drowning in the rain. So, I am going to skip shopping and enjoy the sunshine.”

Indeed, the shorts and short sleeve weather made the decision to go outside a no-brainer.

But more and more people are opting out of Black Friday.

Shopping is fine, says Rick Garza, just not on Friday.

“I don’t believe in it,” Garza said. “Why does it have to be the day after Thanksgiving? I choose to avoid the crowds and just go for a walk.”

The “don’t buy anything on Black Friday” movement may have begun when the outdoor store REI decided to close up, encouraging its employees and customers to do something other than shop.

But somebody forgot to tell Josh Markowitz.

“I didn’t know,” Markowitz said. “I just came but to buy a helmet for my son because he lost his yesterday.”

To be fair, Josh said he would be going for a ride once he finds that helmet.

He would not be alone. By 2 p.m. with the temperature now at 75 degrees, it was clear that shopping would have to wait, as a significant number of people could be seen strolling and jogging and biking along the water.

Jeff McHenry and Charlie Davis were simply fishing for a good time.

Others KRON4 spoke with along the trail said that other reasons they weren’t going shopping on Friday included traffic, crowds, loss of sleep, cutting short the Thanksgiving holiday, and that the so-called Black Friday deals they’d experienced in the past were disappointing.WHAT OTHERS ARE CLICKING ON: 

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