Many savvy shoppers hit stores Thursday to beat the holiday rush.

Retailers in the Cross County Shopping center opened Thanksgiving night for the first time. Many trekked out to the stores even before dinner was done. 

Shoppers say they wanted to take advantage of the early openings in order to avoid crowds and to get the holiday markdowns on hot-button items.

Some consumers used the Thanksgiving hours so that they did not have to brave the stores on Black Friday. Others say that the early Thanksgiving openings were just the beginning, and they will continue buying through to the morning.