Shoppers Camp Out, Young Marines Serve at Bass Pro Shops Black Friday

A line of customers waiting as long as 10 hours in some cases to shop at Bass Pro Shops in East Ridge on Black Friday.

EAST RIDGE, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hundreds got their Black Friday Shopping off to a very early start.

This was the line to enter in the Bass Pro Shops this morning in East Ridge.

Some customers told us they arrived in line as early as 9:30 on Thanksgiving night to receive a free gift card.

Bass Pro Shops said around 500 were present for doors opening at 5 a-m, and they say this is a sign to them that brick and mortar retail can still compete with their online competitors.

The General Manager of the Bass Pro Shops location in East Ridge, Greg Norman, said, “We, as every other retailer, have been running specials throughout the week, and that’s kind of the new trend in retail is spreading out those deals throughout the week. But having the excitement of a Black Friday, we do have some Black Friday exclusive items and exclusive deals, and it’s been a minute, I’m not going to lie, since we have seen the excitement that has been built around the event that is Black Friday.”

There was also the Southeast Tennessee Area Young Marines who were giving away coffee and hot chocolate as they were taking donations for a trip to Normandy, France to take the group of youngsters to the 80th anniversary of D-Day in June 2024.