Shoppers enjoy Black Friday steals and deals; malls enjoy more traditional Black Friday hours

ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - A number of people are working off their Thanksgiving meals and leftovers by hitting the malls and shopping centers.

At many malls, like Valley View Mall in Roanoke, Black Friday reverted back to its roots with stores opening on Friday instead of Thanksgiving afternoon or evening.

It's as much a tradition for some families as it is finding deals.

"Family tradition. We've been doing this since she was a teenager and now she's got teenagers," said Valerie Wilmott, who get up early with her daughter and grandchildren to score some deals.

But she says this year is better than last because the mall stayed closed on Thursday this year and opened on the actual Black Friday, which is different from last year and in years past.

"It put our system off. We're used to having Thanksgiving and then getting up really early at like two in the morning and heading out. I like it just truly on Fridays," said Wilmott.

Some shoppers experienced Black Friday for the first, like Brooke Merchant.

"I was interested this year. Everybody always talks about the good deals and sales every store has."

She wasn't disappointed.

"Old Navy had really good deals. I was surprised Ulta had good deals. American Eagle, Bath and Body Works has probably the best though," she said.

Merchant says she'll back next year, along with die hard Black Friday shoppers like Vanessa Henson who comes year after year.

"I just like to come out with my family and usually it's my sisters and mom and now I'm starting to bring my kids out. But it's just fun to go and be in the crowds and you get to know other people even though they're strangers. You talk to them and it's fun. I like it," Henson said.