Hundreds of people showed up at a Columbia Heights Target expecting it to open on Thanksgiving, only to learn it would remain closed until a 4 a.m. doorbuster the following morning. And D.C. police Lt. Willie Diggins had to break the news for nearly 12 hours.
Diggins took his post at the base of an escalator leading to the 14th Street Target and Best Buy at 4 a.m. on Thursday, and found dozens of people huddled outside the surrounding glass entranceway.
“It’s been crazy as hell out here,” Diggins said. “It wasn’t like this last time.”
Diggins said he has worked as a security guard for the Columbia Heights shopping center on the holidays for the last three years.
Around noon, shoppers were pouring into the atrium entranceway from eight glass doors — breezing past signs plastered on the windows announcing operating hours ?– and charging toward the escalator. Diggins attempted to flag every one of them down and hoarsely explain that the stores were not open, as more and more shoppers tried to push past him. Diggins said he lost his voice four hours into the job.
“Four — four o’clock — cuatro,” Diggins blended languages for different customers while holding up four fingers to indicate the store’s 4 a.m. opening on Black Friday. “No, not today — manana,” he said, making a cutting motion with his hand to emphasize the store’s closure.
But Diggins said he enjoyed the bustle of activity.
“Just wait till tomorrow morning,” he said, laughing as he recalled last year’s Black Friday when 200 people charged into the atrium around 4 a.m. Diggins will return to his post at 2 a.m. Friday. This time, he will be able to open the gates.
