Early morning Meijer deals likely to draw thousands

Jason Tharp of Miamisburg was first in line at the Moraine store for the 55-inch Element TV with Roku — the hottest item in Meijer’s ad. More than 100 people were in line when the employees started handing out the TVs this morning, said store director Mike Jodrey.

“Me and my daughter have been doing this for about six or seven years now. She makes me come out every year, but it so happened our TV died like two weeks ago, so we were looking for the best deal and they seem to have it here,” Tharp said.

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Tharp got in line around 4 a.m., grabbing the first spot. He didn’t think he’d be first but was glad he was to guarantee he got the deal, he said.

Danielle Myers was also shopping with her sister as part of a family tradition at 6 a.m. Thursday when she went to Meijer for clothes and other deals for both herself and her kids.

Last year she didn’t get all the deals she wanted because the crowds got them before she could, but this year the crowds were thinner and she said she got everything she wanted.

“When I was a kid they were way busier, the deals were way better. Over the last few years, I have noticed a decline in people coming out shopping versus I guess staying at home and online shopping, but I noticed a big decline, especially from last year to this year,” Myers said. “I mean last year it was really crowded through here and now it’s not very crowded at all.”

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Shoppers who didn’t head to Meijer this morning can still get the deals on Versa Fitbits, Nintendo Switches, Apple Airpods and anything else in the Thanksgiving ad through Friday while supplies last. There’s also a SantaBucks sale Saturday with coupons based on the dollar value spent, Jodrey said.

“We do ours in the morning so people can get up, get what they need, any last minute Thanksgiving items and get back home to spend time with their family,” Jodrey said.

Tharp and his daughter will take a break mid-day but head back out shopping around 4 to 5 p.m. and stay out late tonight, he said.

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