Queens Center Mall in Rego Park is one of several area malls (and stores, for that matter) staying open 24 hours up until the big day.
On Friday morning, one thousand shoppers lined-up and laced-up some standing around for more than 16-hours, all throughout the mall.
They wanted to be the first to snag the "must have" footwear item of the season: the Air Jordan XI Concord sneaker. They went on sale at midnight for $200 a pair.
Toys R Us shoppers have wish lists to fill. So that's why the toy store, Old Navy and Macy's are staying open -- to give last minute holiday shoppers a place to grab gifts, without the crowds.
Employees are paid a little extra to work the overnight shift, and instead of competing with the masses, they only need to find a way to stay awake.
Crowds remained relatively small even after the sun rose. Still, we found plenty of last minute shoppers. Trish Farrell coud hardly hold the gifts she bought, but she' was still going.
"I'm not finished yet. Two more stores and I'm out of here," Trish said.
She is one of the many last minute shoppers hitting the mall, but don't call her a procrastinator.
"That's how it is sometimes. I'm busy. I have two little kids. I have to take care of them. I do it when I can do it, but I'll be done. No big deal," Trish said.
No big deal, especially this morning, when the crowds were thin.
"I came today expecting the worst. It's not that bad at all," Frank Ciulla said.
The marathon tradition started at the Macy's in Queens in 2006, and just keeps getting bigger.
Hours for some area stores:
Macy's
14 Macy's stores will be open for 83 consecutive hours - open at 7 a.m. on December 21st and stay open until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
27 stores will be open until 2:00 a.m. on December 23rd
Toys 'R Us
Stay open for 112 hours straight starting at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20 and continuing through 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve
Old Navy
All stores open from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight
Christmas Eve: 7:00 am- 7:00 pm
Sears
All stores open until midnight through December 23rd
Christmas Eve: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on
Target
All stores open 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. through December 23rd
Christmas Eve: 7:00 am to 9:00 pm (some close earlier at 7:00 pm depending on location)
Wal-Mart
All Wal-Mart superstores open 24 hours through December 23rd.
Christmas Eve: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm ** some open until 8:00 pm
Best Buy
All stores open 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. through December 23rd
Christmas Eve: All stores open from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
JC Penney
All stores open until midnight through December 23rd
Christmas Eve: All stores open 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Kohl's
All stores open 6:00 a.m. to midnight through December 23rd
Christmas Eve: All stores open 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Apple Store
7:00 am to 9:00 pm
Christmas Eve: Grand Central Stations location open 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Costco
Christmas Eve: All stores open 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Regular weekday hours (10:00 am to 8:30 pm)
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