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MESILLA - In and out of Mesilla shops and businesses walked Charlyn Martinez of Anthony, N.M.,; her parents, Mary Kozart Betz and Dean Betz of Michigan by way of Louisiana; and Martinez's sister, Melissa Kozart of Minneapolis, Minn.
As they left one merchant for another Wednesday, they joined the growing group of last-minute Christmas shoppers. From one Plaza shop to another they carried more bags, with more goodies, to give as gifts two days from now. They're part of a huge breed, apparently, about 40 percent of holiday purchases are made in the last 10 days before Christmas.
These procrastinators have accepted the philosophy, and familiar signature phrase of fictional character Alfred E. Neuman, who has graced the pages of MAD Magazine for years: "What, me worry?"
Last-minute shopping
Most stores will open early and stay open late this week. But call you favorite store to find out their hours on Christmas Eve. Here is a sampling of store closing times on Friday:
•Harbor Freight: 5 p.m.
•Mall and stores: 6 p.m.
•Kohls: 6 p.m.
•Dollar Tree: 6 p.m.
•Target: 7 p.m.
•Family Dollar: 8 p.m.
•Walmart: 8 p.m.
•Kmart: 10 p.m.
•Walgreens: open 24 hours, won't close
•Mesilla shops: Some stores will close in the afternoon. Others will remain open later.
