CHICO, Calif. – This Black Friday is unlike any other we’ve seen before.

But despite the pandemic, many shoppers in Chico still rushed to The Chico Marketplace in search of the Black Friday deals.

Mall management says they did not see the large turnout they normally see but they saw steady crowds all throughout the day. Some people told Action News Now this brought a sense of normalcy.

Shopper, Margaret Becker, says she goes Black Friday shopping every year. 

“Actually in the mall I'm very surprised to see this many people but it's nice to see people with masks and keeping their distance. I brought a lot of hand sanitizer.”

Shopper, Makayla Smith said she came out to get all the sales and buy Christmas presents for her family.

When it comes to the differences in the crowd sizes, Becker said, “Oh my goodness, no comparison, last year you could hardly walk but this year it’s nice because people have a nice flow and they are staying distant."

Employees were monitoring the flow of traffic in the stores. Under the current purple tier, stores can only operate at 25% capacity.

“Lots of people keeping in their own groups and keeping apart, it's longer wait but I don’t mind, they are trying to keep us safe, and you have to wait a little longer but it’s worth it. Lots of people out here getting the deals this year.”

Mall management said many stores have been spreading out their sales throughout the month to avoid large rushes. 

The Chico Marketplace will be open until 9 p.m. Friday.