A busier Black Friday in New Jersey? (PHOTOS)

How's Black Friday looking in New Jersey this year?

“The mood was busy and fun,” Lou Russo, morning radio show host at 94.3 The Point, said at the Freehold Raceway Mall Friday morning. “A lot of people seem to be in a good mood this year. Hopefully it’s a sign that things are a little better financially this year.”

Russo, who broadcasts his show every year on Black Friday from the mall, said he noticed an uptick in the number of shoppers this year.

“It was busier today than we’ve seen in previous years,” Russo said. “I didn’t notice any lines but there certainly was a steady flow. Some people were carrying piles of stuff. They saw some great deals and went for it.”

Russo said he also spoke to Santa Claus, who was meeting with children beginning at 8 a.m. Friday.

“Santa seemed to be very excited about the season,” he laughed. “I didn’t give him my wish list because he was talking to the kids.”

At the Target store in East Windsor, there was a long line of customers wrapping around the building at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving night. By Friday morning, according to one employee, the crowds were “manageable.”

“We have more staff on duty than last year,” she said, adding that electronics advertised on Black Friday print circulars were the stores biggest sellers on Friday.

We'd like to hear from you: How's Black Friday looking at the stores and mall you're visiting? Tweet your comments and pictures to @NJ1015.

More scenes from Black Friday in the Garden State: