Police were even called into some stores to control shoppers fighting over limited supplies of the ‘80s phenomenon. Knockoffs dolls were also independently sold.Young and old alike went wild for Cabbage Patch Kids. Several businesses such as pool retailers and travel agencies gave away the dolls as a marketing tactic. In the weeks leading up to Christmas Day in 1983, advertisements were placed in newspapers selling the dolls at above retail price. “The dolls retail for anywhere from $27 to $30 locally but Zayre’s was offering them at the discount price of $17.99,” the Times Leader reported.Ĭabbage Patch dolls came with a birth certificate and adoption papers. In the days leading up to Black Sunday, Zayre’s advertised they had the dolls in stock. “Checkout lines were 25 to 30 people deep as shoppers clung tightly to the dolls,” the newspaper reported.Ī cashier told a reporter, “I’ve worked at this store for two years and I’ve never seen anything as crazy as this.” Those who managed to get one of the store’s inventory of 240 dolls held onto them with all desperation as other customers tried to tug them away. Packages with the dolls were thrown in the air, leading to many shoppers jumping with arms raised high similar to an outfielder making a homerun saving catch at the fence line. “When the doors opened at 8:50 a.m., ten minutes early, the pushing, shouting shoppers cleaned out the store’s stock of 240 of the popular dolls in 30 minutes,” the Times Leader reported.ĭuring the melee, the store manager jumped onto the counter and yelled for the crowd to calm down while waving the bat. Then a second officer, a third, a fourth and eventually a fifth police officer were at the scene, including five store security guards.Īn assistant store manager stationed himself behind a counter holding a baseball bat for protection. One city police officer arrived as the crowd grew larger. After daybreak, there were shouts from the growing crowd for the store to open early. Shoppers began waiting outside Zayre’s as early as midnight for the 9 a.m. Sunday’s rush began after the store advertised in newspapers that it had the doll for sale,” the Times Leader reported. “Cabbage Patch dolls have been almost impossible to find in many area stores. In an era prior to video game systems and cellular phones becoming popular Christmas presents, Cabbage Patch dolls were a major craze. The suspect was not apprehended,” the Times Leader reported about the chaotic event. Police said bystanders grabbed the doll from the man as he was fleeing the store.
“The woman was knocked to the floor while trying to hang onto a doll being snatched from her hands by an unidentified man who fled out the front door. A Kingston woman suffered three broken ribs and a broken right leg, spending several weeks in a wheelchair. 27, 1983, and bull rushed their way inside in hopes of getting their hands on a Cabbage Patch doll.Īfter the donnybrook scene, five women were transported to Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.Īn estimated crowd of 1,000 stood outside the Zayre’s Department Store on Spring Street, Wilkes-Barre, on Nov.
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