Black Friday Shoppers Head To Tanger Despite Coronavirus

RIVERHEAD, NY — The pandemic didn't serve as a deterrent for long lines of shoppers who turned out at Tanger Outlets in Riverhead on Black Friday hoping to score some deals.

Black Friday at Tanger in 2020 looked different due to the pandemic, with the outlet center opening at 6 a.m. and not on Thanksgiving or at midnight, as in past years. Although it was crowded, volume didn't match some record years when parking lots were at capacity and cars were lined up for miles down nearby roads.

Still, despite the pandemic, the turnout was good, with shoppers and stores alike adhering to coronavirus protocols, Tanger representatives said.

"The shopping center has filled up nicely and we are on track to be comparable to last year," said Lesley Anthony, general manager of Tanger Outlets at Riverhead. "The well-being of our guests, employees and retail partners is our top priority. We encourage all guests and retail partners to comply with the guidance of state and local health officials."

Tanger, Anthony said, has enacted many protective measures to ensure the safety of all while on premises, including mask requirements, regularly sanitizing high touch surfaces areas in accordance with health official recommendations, and encouraging social distancing among all while on premises.

"Our retail partners have also enacted protective measures inside their stores, and while managing lines outside of their stores," Anthony said. "To ensure everyone feels comfortable shopping Tanger this holiday season, we also have instituted our three ways to shop: in person, via curbside pickup or through our new Virtual shopper option, whereby a member of our team will do the shopping for you."

Riverhead Police and security were onhand to keep traffic moving smoothly.

Social distancing and coronavirus protocols were observed, with store staffers sanitizing and allowing only a limited number of shoppers in at one time. Those shopping were masked and waited patiently on cordoned off lines for their chance to hit the stores and scoop up some savings.

Despite the new normal, the mood was still festive among those who traveled miles for the chance to keep a holiday tradition alive.

When asked why she decided to brave the Black Friday crowds, Laurie Shahinian of Yaphank said, "To save money." Shahinian arrived at Tanger in Riverhead at 4 a.m., two hours before stores opened. She reported that the lines were moving smoothly and that she was impressed with precautions being taken in individual stores to sanitize and keep clientele safe. Staff handed out individual bags for those making purchases to carry with them as they browsed and then, checked out at the registers, she said.

Madison Peters and Juliet Felice traveled from Bellport to Tanger to buy Christmas presents, they said. "It's a tradition," Peters said.

Both said they'd experienced long waits on lines due to the reduced capacity in stores.

Fana Ballram and her husband and children journeyed all the way from Queens to Riverhead for Black Friday. "We figured they'd have deals," Ballram said.

The couple arrived at 10 a.m. and Ballram said Tanger was already crowded. "There were lines at every store we went to," she said.

Asked if she was concerned about the coronavirus, Ballram said: "Not really. We're wearing our masks." She and her husband were shopping both at clothing stores and hoping to buy some toys for their children, ages 1 and 3, she said.

But, with an eye toward expediency, the pair worked as a team: She waited on one line while her husband headed to another. "We split up," she said

Last week, parts of Riverhead were one of four areas on Long Island designated a yellow zone by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo; under that designation, businesses are able to remain open.