Modestans got a jump on shopping on Thanksgiving. Others waiting until Friday. | Modesto Bee

“Shop like you mean it,” read the fliers handed to shoppers lined up Thursday outside the Pink store in the Vintage Faire Mall in Modesto.

They were for people who rearranged their Thanksgiving dinners so they could get a jump on shopping for Christmas.

“We do it by 1 o’clock so I can leave usually by 4,” said Leslie Ford of Denair, one of a few dozen people waiting for the opening of Pink. The mall opened at 5 p.m., and this particular clothing store an hour later. It had half-price pants and sweatshirt sets that were among the items on Ford’s shopping list.

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, continues to be the biggest shopping day in Modesto and nationwide. Thursday provided a less crowded environment for launching into the season.

“All year they are waiting, they are planning.” said Muhammad Hossain, manager of the Cellairis kiosk at Vintage Faire. It provides covers and repairs for cell phones.

The mall will have extra-long hours Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

To the south on Sisk Road, a couple hundred people waited for the 5 p.m. opening of Toys R Us. The big box will stay open for 30 straight hours, to 11 p.m. Friday, to meet the demand for Barbies and bicycles and board games and more.

First in line was Haleigh Kitt, who had planned to buy a BMW toy car for her daughter but changed the plan after she got a text that someone else took care of that gift.

Amber Holman, who works in human resources for Toys R Us, helped the staff usher a few people through the doors at a time. She expected demand this year for the likes of Little Belle dolls, Fingerling monkey toys and $39 bicycles.

Click here for special hours at other major stores in the area.