Retailers opening on Thanksgiving becomes growing tradition despite criticism

CONCORD, Calif. (KGO) -- Black Friday shoppers are already out in force. Shopping on Thanksgiving Day has become a new tradition for many, but others say this Black Friday creep needs to stop.

It's been called a new tradition shopping on Thanksgiving Day, but others say this Black Friday creep needs to stop.

While many large retailers like Nordstrom will keep their doors shut this Thanksgiving, others will try to take advantage of what some are calling a new tradition, that is shopping on Thanksgiving.

In the case of J.C. Penney the start time is 3 p.m.

For the fourth year, Concord's Sun Valley Mall will open on Thanksgiving Day from 5 p.m. to midnight. Santa will start his shift at 8 p.m..

"It's a decision that we made based on consumer interest and demand. The department stores are all open," said Kim Trupianao of the Sun Valley Mall.

"It's a big day and I like that it kind of separates out, instead of that big Black Friday, now we get to spread it out a little bit," said Sears store manager Alie Kennedy.

But other national retailers like Crate and Barrel, Home Depot and REI will close for the holiday. There's even a Change.org petition encouraging retailers like Target, J.C. Penny and Macy's to close on Thanksgiving their employees can spend the day with their families.

"We came from Los Angeles. I don't like going when there's so much people, so much chaos going around," said Jerry de la Torre, a shopper.

Brian Berglund says he'll open his jewelry store, begrudgingly.

"Given the choice I would rather stay closed. In Rome, we do what the Romans do," Berglund said.