Shoppers walk the sidewalks of downtown Lawrence on Black Friday, Nov. 28, 2008. Shoppers were in line as early as 4 a.m. at some stores for the start of Black Friday, the busy shopping day after Thanksgiving.

An early-morning drizzle and gloomy economy couldn’t keep bargain hunters out of Lawrence stores on Black Friday.

Shoppers, huddled in hooded sweatshirts, gloves and scarves, drank coffee and chatted to pass the time as they waited for stores to open before sunrise. Some remained in their cars to avoid the cold rain. Best Buy store manager Todd Brees said a line began forming late Thursday night outside his store at 2020 W. 31st St.

Becky Dunavin and her daughter Shelby, 17, were the first shoppers in line at 2:40 a.m. waiting for the doors to open at Kohl’s at 3240 Iowa. The pair drove from their home in Perry to Lawrence on a mission to complete all their Christmas shopping in one day.

“We look forward to this,” Becky Dunavin said.

The Dunavins are continuing their shopping tradition, but this year they plan to spend less on gifts for their large family.

“We usually spend $2,000, and we’re cutting back,” Becky Dunavin said.

According to a preliminary shopping survey by the National Retail Federation, about 128 million people will shop this weekend. Shoppers and retail employees have said they believe consumers would still come out in high numbers on Black Friday, the unofficial first day of the holiday shopping season, but spend more conservatively than in the past.

“I think that because of the state of the economy, people are very choosy about where they’re making their purchases,” said Kohl’s store manager Robin Harmon. “People still want to buy gifts and have that special gift for their loved ones at the holidays, and so they are still going to purchase. They’re just looking for getting the most for their money.”

That means finding deals.

Kansas University junior Dawit Askabe ventured out to Best Buy after the store opened. He said he thought people were skeptical about shopping on Black Friday because they had less discretionary money to spend, but if people looked for sales they would still spend money.

“If people know they can find deals they will come out,” he said.

Kari Aguilar of Lecompton and her family joined the line at Kohl’s at 3:30 a.m. She said advertisements and large sales influenced people’s decision to shop on Friday.

“I think the stores are making a difference because of the prices (they offer),” she said.

Lawrence resident Bill Ball has spent the last five or six Black Fridays gift shopping with a friend. Ball is worried about what the future holds for the economy but said right now consumers will have to be “careful” with spending and plan more.

“It’s really going to be tough this year for a lot of people,” he said.

Several Downtown Lawrence retailers also reported steady traffic in their stores throughout the day and leading up to the evening lighting ceremony and Santa Claus’ appearance.

“I really like a lot of the little shops in comparison to going to the big malls,” said Jahna Foland, a pilot from Enid, Okla., who was visiting friends. “Big malls get too crowded, and down here, it’s just a homey, little atmosphere.”

Lawrence resident Bill Ball has spent the last five or six Black Fridays gift shopping with a friend. Ball is worried about what the future holds for the economy and said right now consumers will have to be “careful” with spending and plan more.

“It’s really going to be tough this year for a lot of people,” he said.