Plenty of crowds were out on Black Friday looking for deals, but it wasn't just shopping centers that were busy -- we've learned some shoppers were buying gifts at local Virginia ABC stores.

"We had a very large, positive reaction from customers," ABC spokesperson Becky Gettings tells News 5. "Virginians spent $5.9 million statewide on our Black Friday sale."

This is the second year they have offered specials on the busiest shopping day of the year. "We offered them last year, but without widespread publicity. We did not purchase any paid advertising, but we did use social media news releases, and signs in our stores," says Gettings.

Customer Nancy Kaczmarek says she didn't know about the sale, but if she did, she would've been there. "Definitely, I had no clue, no idea," says Kaczmarek.

Discounts were offered on everything in the store and there was no limit on how much customers could buy. "If the customer spent $50 before tax, the customer would get 10 percent off of the entire purchase. In addition, there were additional markdowns to some close outs," Gettings said.

Customers like Kaczmarek think liquor makes great Christmas gifts.

"Customers come in and the discount allowed them to trade up to more premium brands for gifts and some for holiday entertaining," Gettings said.

ABC is happy with the sales, but they want to remind customers to stay safe. "ABC encourages everyone to host and drink responsibly," says Gettings.

News 5 learned the idea to offer Black Friday deals came from an ABC employee last year. They plan to do the Black Friday sales again next year.