25 years ago: Shoppers begin hitting the stores for holiday deals

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Nov. 29, 1985:

  • The headline on the front page: “Stuffed with turkey, Americans head out on hunt for presents.” The day after Thanksgiving was not yet widely referred to as “Black Friday,” and in contrast to the door-busting loss leaders at daybreak that now characterize the day, shoppers were not usually crowding the stores until mid-morning. However, merchants were looking forward to the biggest day of their busiest season.
  • The Casagrande family was featured as one of the local families who had their Thanksgiving a day later than the rest of the city. Pam Casagrande, her husband, and their three children had spent Thursday at the LINK kitchen in the basement of St. John Catholic Church, serving up dinners to anyone who responded to the open invitation. The turnout of about 125 had been smaller than expected, but everyone there appeared to enjoy and appreciate the dinner.
  • Santa Claus was expected to arrive by horse and buggy on Saturday, greeted by a Dixieland band from Lawrence High School. He was planning to stroll through downtown, greeting children and enjoying performances by Central Junior High School’s Excalibur Choir and the Lawrence Civic Choir.