While many shoppers were looking for a deal across the country, a few shops in the area say they weren't having big sales but still saw big numbers.

Some of the shops in downtown Eau Claire say they saw more people coming in this year over last year and they say it was a pleasant surprise.

While many shoppers were waiting in lines a few business owners say they were busy but not overwhelmed.

"Today was a very surprisingly good day, we spoke to a few other business owners and they had a great day too. It was definitely bustling downtown," says Lorraine Dixon.

Lorraine Dixon runs Cadeaux on Barstow Street and says last weekend, the start of hunting season, is their big weekend. However she says more people are discovering the downtown shops.

"I think it's great people are starting to view downtown as more of a destination and a place to go as an alternative to the mall," says Dixon.

Even with a big day for downtown a lot of people headed out to the mall and Best Buy.

"I got up about 8:30 and got to Eau Claire around 9:00 just to see what's still going on. I didn't want to go through all the hassle of 5:00 in the morning," says shopper Joey Johnson.

While some were just scoping out the scene, some others had big ticket items on their wish list.

"Just some quick books, some PS3 games, you know maybe a TV if the credit allows it," says Jason Tape.

Business owners say even with big ticket items available across town, they have something only local stores can offer.

"The fact that we have such a verity of things in all of our stores, each store is different in its own way and I think that's a draw. We don't have the same thing as everyone else has," says Wildwood owner Nancy Knocke.

Something else Knocke says separates the downtown stores is the chance for local artists and craft makers to get their products into the hands of people.

With all of the shopping happening over Black Friday Consumer Reports says 65-percent of shoppers will cut back on their holiday shopping this year. That's down from 76-percent of shoppers who said they were scaling back on holiday spending last year.