Black Friday is creeping up on us faster than a shopping cart in a crowded parking lot. And while El Paso has earned a reputation for being one of the safest and most polite cities in America, that title tends to evaporate the moment a holiday sale hits. Nothing tests a city’s civility like 50% off air fryers, limited-edition items, and the promise of instant gratification.
Merch Madness: Bear Cups & Early Morning Lines
Just this week, Starbucks dropped its new line of holiday merch, the “Bearista Cold Cup,” and by 3 a.m., eager customers were lined up outside local stores like they were camping for concert tickets. People Magazine even reported on the frenzy, which reached cities across the country. The cups are even on eBay already and they’re a cool $399.99.
Courtesy of People Magazine
Courtesy of People Magazine
That in itself is impressive; coffee lovers here have serious dedication. But of course, things took a turn when folks vied for the “bear cups.” One local El Paso video shared by FitFam featured a man and woman arguing over the last one, sparking thousands of shocked comments, according to KISS El Paso. So much for polite queueing at dawn.
Stanley Cups & Straw Toppers: When Drinkware Becomes Weaponized
The bear-cup drama was just the warm-up. Earlier this year, the limited-edition Valentine’s Day Stanley cups in pink and red triggered full-on chaos at a local Target. As one TikTok clip from El Paso put it: “Getting trampled for a Target Stanley Valentine’s Cup.” Market Realist covered the nationwide craze that sent shoppers into a frenzy.
And then there’s the merch-drop culture of Dutch Bros Coffee, with straw toppers, keychains, and freebies that have people showing up at 5 a.m., lining up in parking lots, and sometimes creating traffic jams. One Reddit thread described it best:
“The line was already all the way down the street shortly after 5 … no keychains for ussss.”
All this to stick a decorative topper on a straw. Welcome to holiday retail.
Black Friday Under the Shadow of Shutdowns: Calm or Chaos?
So what does all this merch mayhem tell us about the upcoming Black Friday in El Paso? On one hand, the city may have a head start on massive crowds and merciless bargain hunting. We already saw tents, lines, and anxious shoppers during previous holiday rushes, as KVIA once reported.
On the other hand, the backdrop is different this year. The ongoing and record-breaking government shutdown means many shoppers may have less disposable income, fewer bonus dollars, and maybe fewer reasons to push and shove for that 70-inch TV. That could translate to calmer crowds, shorter lines, and maybe even a more peaceful shopping weekend.
But let’s be real: fewer dollars can also mean more frustration, more competition for fewer deals, and higher tension over limited-edition items. For a city already showing early signs of merch-fueled drama, the powder keg is primed.
El Pasoans are about to show their true holiday spirit. My fingers are crossed that this year we’ll keep things kind and civilized while we hunt down the best bargains. But if the Starbucks bear-cup incident was a sign of what’s coming, maybe it’s time to start stretching mentally and emotionally for the battle ahead.
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Gallery Credit: Canva/KISSFM Facebook
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PICS: You Know You’re in El Paso When You See…
There are so many places throughout the Borderland that as you look around you just know you’re here. Just for sharing your interpretation of “You know you’re in El Paso when you see…” you could win $1,000.
Share your vision, your humor, your admiration for what makes us unique. It could even end up in one of our “You Know you’re in El Paso when you see…” galleries.
Here are a few example of the sort of things we’re looking for, but you should definitely get creative and try to find those iconic, weird, or wonderful things that are distinctly El Paso.
Gallery Credit: KLAQ