Last-minute shoppers cram into stores

With the Christmas deadline bearing down, last-minute shoppers are flocking to area stores.

"It's crazy," said Lindley Baker, executive team leader at the Target Store on Jacks Valley Road. "Yesterday we didn't have enough shopping carts. We'd get them inside and dry them off from the weather. People would wait a few seconds for a cart."

Baker says the weather has played a part in the higher concentration of shoppers over the last couple days.

"We attribute it to the fact that, because of the weather, people haven't been shopping but now, even though the weather is still bad, they don't have a choice because Christmas is only a few days away," she said.

Holiday shoppers are hitting the other end of town as well.

"Yesterday we were slammed," said Paula Clarke, first assistant manager at Big 5 Sporting Goods on North Carson Street. "I think people are staying in Carson more because we've got more here. And I myself -- I did all my shopping right here in Carson."

She said the hot items this year are remote control cars -- there are only a few of the big ones left -- and snowboarding equipment from goggles to boots to bindings.

"And we've sold an awful lot of hats this year," she said.

Across Highway 395 at the Super Kmart, holiday decorations are going fast.

"Our Christmas merchandise is flying out here quicker than snot," said Matt Pearson, softlines manager at Super Kmart. "All the trees, lights, decorations -- all of that stuff is really flying out of here."

Pearson says the blitz should continue with post-holiday specials.

"We're starting our Dollar Days, which we're pretty famous for, the day after Christmas," he said.

Despite Wal Mart's move south of the Douglas County line and a shift of shoppers to the south end of Carson City, north-end stores like Super Kmart are still busy.

"Even in a year when we're facing some turmoil, we're pretty consistent with last year," said Pearson.

One shopper among the chaos was serene -- having already bought all her gifts.

"It's kinda nice being able to come in and not feel pressured," said Pam Blankinship of Carson. She was milling about in Gottschalks, enjoying pre-Christmas sales. She was so far ahead of the game that she even had two gifts wrapped for each of her four dogs.

"I was wrapping a big piece of rawhide, and I was like 'Don't let Luna see it!'" She secured the dog treats inside Zip-loc bags so they wouldn't be an olfactory temptation.