KENNEWICK, Wash.--  It was a busy Black Friday for Columbia Center Boulevard mall in Kennewick. 

Kim Harvey, Director of Marketing and Communications, says lines started around 11:00 p.m. Thursday night, with stores opening as early as 3:00 a.m. Friday.

Some shoppers got up early to brave the crowds.  Melissa and Kacy drove to Kennewick from Oregon, and they say, " Our aunt, her mom, got us a motel room and we came up yesterday, got up at midnight and we went to Toys-R-Us and then we got to the mall at 4:00."

Another avid shopper, Joni Ashley, says, "It's family tradition.  Three hours on Thursday scoping the ads, planning our strategy and usually there's between 6 and 12 of us."  They were calling and texting each other where all the deals were throughout the morning.

One shopper, Cricket, however, says, "My daughter got me up at 4:00 this morning to hit the mall.  First time I've ever done this, probably the last time I will ever do this."

Harvey estimates that the mall was busier this year, than last year.