BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) – While online shopping continues to surge in popularity, many Tri-Cities residents remain committed to in-store shopping.

For some, the choice is all about convenience.

“I feel like shopping online detracts from the whole Black Friday experience, plus there’s always Cyber Monday,” shared one shopper visiting The Pinnacle in Bristol.

Another shopper expressed, “In my view, it’s quicker to just stand in line rather than shop online.”

Others mentioned that the appeal lies in simply getting out of the house.

“It’s Friday morning and things need to get up and kicking,” said a shopper. “It’s better than sitting on the couch at home and spending some money. It’s no problem to anybody. I’m good.”

“It’s cool to see everybody’s different interests in what they want to buy and how they like to shop,” another shopper said.

“I just enjoy being able to be outside and like walk around and like shop in person and know what I’m actually getting,” a shopper said.

While Black Friday is an annual outing for some, others are coming for the first time.

“They’re going to take me to Five Below and I’m going to buy stuff,” a first-time shopper said.

“This is my first time and, there’s some great deals out here and honestly, I’ve got most of my Christmas shopping done,” another shopper said.

While some said they just enjoyed the experience of shopping Black Friday in person, others said it had a deeper meaning to them.

“We do it as a family tradition every year,” said one shopper. “Get our Christmas shopping done.”

“It’s always a fun challenge to find the good deals and we’re always trying to get a lot of our Christmas shopping done, and it’s just a fun family tradition,” said another shopper.

“I like to teach him that not everything can be done on a computer. That coming in person gives him more, you know, memorable experience than just buying stuff online and just sitting in the house. So, we like to come out to see different people and run into people that we know, old friends and stuff.”

One shopper said she enjoys the quality time with her family and friends.

“Honestly, it’s more about just us bonding and having fun than just shopping. So, we love to come in person. You don’t get that when you shop online.”