Athens merchants report a brisk, steady business for Black Friday specials, but there were apparently no mob scenes.

Shoppers across the country took loosened up to take advantage of deals on toys and TVs in stores and online on Black Friday after a bleak year of worrying about basic necessities.

Today will tell the tale if crowds were indeed bigger this year than last.

If the numbers show a significant increase it might be an indication of a reviving economy.

Morgan Massengill-York, manager of Maurice’s in the French Farm shopping center, said that store’s specials started earlier in the week, which made for a brisk sales leading up to Thanksgiving.

“It’s really been a fantastic week,” she said. “And it’s still going good today (Friday).”

Tonia Wood of Rue 21, also in French Farm, said business was also good Friday.

“We’re having our Buy1, get the other for half-price sale on everything in the store,” said Wood. “It’s not like crazy, but it’s steady.”

Dana Birdieshaw of Peebles said Black Friday specials ended at 1 p.m. Friday, but the rest of the day the store passed out coupon books or specials starting today.

“We’ll have even more specials Saturday,” said Birdieshaw. “But we did a pretty nice business today.”

David Bennett of Bennett’s Department Store on the square said shoppers there could take an extra 10 percent off everything in the store.

“Business was steady up until the ballgame (Iron Bowl),” said Bennett. “Then that just ruined us.”

Katie Pylant of Kmart sounded a little breathless when she said, “We’ve been so, so busy today. It slacked a little while ago for the game—but not much.”