Staff photo / R. Michael Semple Not even a broken toe will keep Kathryn Saben of Niles from her annual Black Friday shopping with family and friends at the Eastwood Mall in Niles. Many people crowded the mall and its surrounding retailers for sale prices and deep discounts.

NILES — The Thanksgiving leftovers were barely tucked into the fridge before eager shoppers flooded Eastwood Mall and Bass Pro Shops early Friday morning, turning a cold fall day into a frenzy of doorbuster deals and holiday cheer.

Joshua Todd, 43, of Alliance, arrived with his family decked out in matching sweatshirts each displaying their roles. One read “Dad Joke Shopper.”

His 17-year-old son sported a “Rookie Shopper” shirt, signifying his Black Friday debut while Todd said his wife took the label of the “Bougie Shopper.”

They arrived at the mall at 6 a.m., avoiding long lines, and found parking despite the difficulty, all in an effort to get their Christmas shopping list completed.

“For us, it’s a family tradition,” Todd said. “We pick a spot each year and hit the road. This year, we heard about all the action at Eastwood Mall on the radio, and we figured it’d be perfect.”

“It’s just really a time where we hang out together, have fun and just get out of the house and burn off some of that Thanksgiving food,” he said.

The Todds weren’t alone. By sunrise, the mall’s parking lots were filled, with a steady flow of shoppers navigating packed aisles in search of last-minute gifts and seasonal sales.

Johnny Chechitelli, Eastwood Mall’s director of marketing and communications, described the day as “the Super Bowl for retailers.”

“We had 500 swag bags ready for the early birds, and they were gone almost instantly,” Chechitelli said. “It’s great to see shoppers back in full force. This year’s turnout really exceeded our expectations.”

“When you walk in, you can feel the energy,” Chechitelli said. “The Christmas decorations, the music; it’s like a perfect kickoff for the holiday season.”

The nearby Bass Pro Shops also saw robust attendance, kicking off the day with a $1 million nationwide gift card giveaway.

For general manager Bruce Miller, this was only his second year experiencing the frenzy of Black Friday shoppers in his role.

Miller said customers began lining up as early as 1:30 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.

“It’s all about the excitement,” Miller said. “Families, pets, everyone comes together to experience the best deals of the season. Seeing the turnout, especially as we mark our one-year anniversary here, is just incredible.”

“People lined up with camp chairs and blankets; it shows how much they love the experience,” Miller added. “It’s not just shopping; it’s an event.”

Shoppers from farther afield also flocked to the area.

Courtney Suess, 29, of Roswell, New Mexico, and Caryn Curtis, 41, of Cumming, Georgia, were in Pennsylvania for Thanksgiving but ventured to Ohio for the retail offerings.

“The mall is huge, and the deals are unbeatable,” said Suess. “We planned this weeks in advance; it’s part of the fun.”

“There’s something about Black Friday shopping that brings people together,” Curtis said. “It’s not just about getting the best deals, it’s about the experience, the tradition.”

Both Eastwood Mall and Bass Pro Shops centered a community-driven approach from Santa’s Wonderland displays to extended holiday hours.

The festivities will continue today for Small Business Saturday, where shoppers can explore local vendors alongside the big-name retailers.

“It feels like Christmas is officially here,” Chechitelli said. “And that’s exactly the atmosphere we aim to create.”