While many Americans were still resting comfortably in their Thanksgiving food comas, others were up early on Nov. 23, looking for deals at local retailers. Wareham Crossing was abuzz with activity as Black Friday shoppers lined up outside of stores before midnight.

Nationally, some stores have begun opening Thanksgiving night. In Massachusetts, the so-called "Blue Laws" prevented retailers from opening before midnight. But some stores, such as Game Stop and Target, got early starts, opening at midnight and 1 a.m.

Shopper Lisa Petruski credited staggered opening times for keeping the scene at Wareham Crossing relatively sedate.

“I think it was a little more spread out this year,” she said.

Petruski said she saw some arguing among customers around 5 a.m. but, for the most part, things were quiet.

Petruski said she is a regular black Friday shopper because “it’s the only day I can go shopping before work.”

While some people came out seeking whatever deals they could find, others came with specific items in mind.

At Game Stop, employee Liz Garbowski said, “They came out to get the systems” such as Playstation 3. “At first there were 20 to 30 people in here” inside the small store, she said. But it calmed down, and by 7 a.m., there was a steady, but not overwhelming, flow of customers.

Old Navy opened its doors at midnight. Employee Matt Chapdelaine reported that "there were about 150 people waiting in line outside.” Chapdelaine has worked a Black Friday at the store before, and says that’s normal.

For some it was their first time coming out for the post-Thanksgiving shopping day.

“I don’t do this any year. This is my first year,” said Lori Dillon. “My kids are getting older, and the bigger stuff is more expensive,” so she was searching for bargains.

Dillon said that employees at Target told her she missed a crush of customers when the store opened up at 1 a.m.

“They said it was busy around 1 a.m.," Dillon said, noting that it was quieter later in the morning. "I came out at the perfect time."