Returns, exchanges, gift cards and cheap decorations: Shoppers venture out again after Christmas

MUHLENBERG TOWNSHIP, Pa. – A department store may be the last thing on your mind on Dec. 26, but for a Berks-based retailer and its loyal customers, the opposite was true.

“I love the clothes, the jewelry, the shoes, everything,” Krista Winslow said.

For Winslow, a Berks native who now lives in Delaware, it’s a family affair.

“I worked here when I was 16 and my grandfather knew Al Boscov and worked with him,” Winslow said. “I always came here with my grandmother. I love Boscov’s.”

Now that all the presents are unwrapped, including a necklace purchased online that the elves may have scratched…

“I was here to trade a necklace for my son Mason. It was broken when we got it in the mail,” Winslow said.

And a few Hey Dudes that needed replacing…

“I ordered the wrong size sneakers. We got new sneakers,” she said. “We are satisfied.”

Shoppers also took advantage of big discounts on holiday decorations, such as an artificial Christmas tree that normally costs $100 and was reduced to $24.99.

“I look at what they sell out after Christmas,” said Stacey Amato of Mohrsville. “Prices look pretty decent compared to Christmas.”

“We’re shopping today because of the good price,” said Marisa Otero of Reading. “We’re buying decorations for Christmas.”

“75 percent off and they’re so pretty, you can’t go wrong,” said Barbara Bernecker from the Mühlenberg community. “Boscov’s is the place to be.”

Great deals have shoppers waiting in line and staying in the giving spirit, including a couple offering to buy a tree for a local news reporter.

“Do you need a new tree?” “We could treat you,” Bernecker asked.

From returns and exchanges, to putting those gift cards to good use, to stocking up for next season…

“We have a box down here in the basement and we just put everything away,” Bernecker said.

Everyone seemed grateful for what they got and what they already had.