Camp Hill, Pa. - The Capital City Mall was packed Friday night as people scrambled to finish their Christmas shopping before the arrival of a winter storm.

Some shoppers would have been out anyway, because they're running out of time. Others, who planned to venture out Saturday, changed their minds after hearing the forecast.

"I have four wheel drive so I hope I'll be alright in it, but I hope it's not going to be too bad," said Mechanicsburg resident Johnathan Pierich.

In case it is bad, Pierich wanted to be prepared. He bought presents for his family ahead of the storm and ahead of the crowds. "With the winter weather, I guess a lot of people are going to be out (Friday) so I'm just trying to get myself done before everyone else I guess," he said.

Other shoppers had the same idea: win the race against old man winter. "We're out here shopping trying to get some Christmas stuff done," said Elizabeth Spaeder of Etters.

A few came to the mall simply to see friends before they dust off the snow blower. "Just before the storm, I want to get out one more time before the weather hits," said Edward Quinn, of Valley Green.

"Because they're anticipating the storm Saturday, normally this would be a busy night for us anyway, but I think people are thinking twice and getting out to the mall and finishing up their shopping," mall spokeswoman Jillian Fikkert said.

The final weekend before Christmas is a busy one for retailers. Mall staffers said some years, it rivals black Friday in sales. Some believe that forecast will hold true this time around despite the gloomy one outside.

"It is the last weekend," said Larry White, of Camp Hill. "They'll come out as long as it's just snowing, it's probably not all that bad."

The Capital City Mall opens at 8 a.m. Saturday. Mall officials said they are not planning to close and they'll have crews ready to shovel and plow.

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