Christmas shoppers hit stores before sun rise.

MOLLY, CYNTHIA AND TAMMY (from left)
Jarema were part of a contingent from Macomb
Township in southeast Michigan who made it to
Glen Arbor in the wee hours Friday morning for
the annual Pajama Party. Each year the group
wears an identical item. This year, it was the
blue snowflake scarf.

Dozens of pajama-clad shoppers began their “black Friday” experience appropriately: in the early morning, pitch-dark hours the day after Thanksgiving

Locals and visitors alike – many decked out in flannel nightgowns, and some wearing stocking caps – set their alarms and got up not for work, but to go shopping at stores in Glen Arbor, Leland and Suttons Bay.

Merchants across the county said people were in the spirit for the kickoff to the Christmas shopping season.

“We opened at 6 (a.m.) and had people lined up outside the door, waiting for us to open,” said Eric Breitwieser, manager of the Radio Shack store in Suttons Bay. “We had an early rush and gradually things started to level off.”

This year, electronics items continue to be popular with shoppers.

“We’ve sold a lot of GPS (global positioning satellite) units and radio-controled toys,” Breitwieser said. “The GPS units are finally dropping in price to where real people can afford them.”

The store was one of many retail outlets in the county with special day-after-Thanksgiving hours.

In Glen Arbor, the staff of Becky Thatcher was decked out in their holiday jammies and stocking caps in preparation for the annual Pajama Party Sale which they started more than a decade ago. The 2-hour event, from 5 to 7 a.m., featured 26 businesses that advertised the “best savings” of the year.

At Becky Thatcher’s, five women — all wearing light blue “snowflake” scarves — stood around the display case and “oohed” and “ahhed” as staff members pulled jewelry from the glass case below.

“We’ve made this trip each of the last nine years,” said Judy Jarema, who made the pilgrimage north from Macomb County with her daughters and daughter-in-law, her sister Sharon Ranke and niece, Doris. “My husband, Chet read about (the party/sale) and suggested we come up for it.”

The family group stays in the same cottage near Buckley each year and travels to Glen Arbor the day after Thanksgiving.

“The first year, I found some Red Wings hats and we all wore them (shopping). Each year we have something different. This year, it’s the blue snowflake scarves,” Jarema said. “That way, we can all stick together.”

Chet stood outside and took pictures while the women checked out all the jewelry, substantially discounted for the event.

“We came initially out of curiosity, but now all we want is jewelry,” said one of the daughters, who along with her mother, sister and sister-in-law, took away their Christmas present, purchased by the lone man in the group — Chet.

There were also several men checking out the sale goods at The Sportsman Shop just a few blocks away in Glen Arbor. Most everything was marked down 30 percent.

“Our sales were up 20 percent over the same day last year,” said Bob Smith, owner of the Sportsman’s Shop. “We were very busy. I’m tickled pink.”

Smith was not sure what response the pajama party would have this year, given high gas prices and layoffs in the auto industry downstate.

“It just goes to show you that no matter the economy, people will still show up to support their local businesses,” he said.

This year’s popular item at the shop are items made from a new type of “fleece” material which is waterproof, yet still breathes. Sales of gloves and boots were also popular.

“I think the snow helped us a little with this,” Smith said.

But it wasn’t only visitors who were out and about for the shopping kickoff. Friday also served as an opportunity for locals to get out and see what there is to offer locally, rather than going to Traverse City.

“We come every year,” said Judy Egeler of Leland. Her daughter, granddaughter and sister were visiting for Thanksgiving. The group began in Glen Arbor and made their way north to Leland for more shopping.

The Harbor House in Leland, bustling on most any summer day, came to life again Friday with shoppers who make it for early holiday shopping.

“It’s part of our holiday tradition,” said Linda Lindquist-Bishop, a summer resident now living in Washington, D.C. She and other family members gather at 7:30 a.m. and shop afterward. “This year, I’m trying to buy something for others rather than myself. We like to support the local businesses.”