MARYSVILLE – A few years ago, when stores starting opening for shopping on Thanksgiving Day, there was an outcry on social media for that to stop so employees could stay home with their families.

That outcry has stopped. That holiday tradition has gone away now that consumers no longer support it. Dozens of stores were open locally on Thanksgiving with early Black Friday specials bringing in thousands of shoppers.

Almost 150 people were in line at the Penneys when it opened at 2 p.m. The first 500 customers were given coupons, most of which were worth $10 off, but some others valued at up to $500.

Tamie Tarbox came all the way from Snohomish. It was her first time shopping on Thanksgiving. She was wanting some diamond earrings for $20. “The family’s all taken care of,” she said, adding they were going elsewhere for dinner. “Mom’s taking the time off,” she added, saying she was going later to the Tulalip Resort for her dinner and fun.

Tracey Gibb was standing next to her in line. “Everybody’s here for the big one” the Marysville woman said, referring to the $500 off coupon. If she did get that one, she planned to buy an Xbox for her grandkids in upstate New York.

Gibb said she got up late, which worked out perfectly for her little shopping trip. “The bird’s in the oven” and won’t be done until 4, she said.

Gibb said she shopped for the first time on Thanksgiving last year. “It’s nice when employees get it off, but some like to work,” she said.

Shop Small Saturday is tomorrow, and local businesses in Arlington and Marysville are getting ready for that.

The bigger national chain stores, as usual, have doorbusters and low-cost items for sale to try to draw people in on Black Friday.

Sears has 40 percent off appliances; Toys R Us has 40 percent off Lego construction sets; Best Buy has a laptop for $119; Kohl’s has 50 percent off select toys; Macy’s has 75 percent off select coats; Target has a 55-inch TV for $250; and Walmart has sales on numerous televisions.