DENVER -- Shoppers don't seem to care if it's a recession or not, as long as the discounts are steep.

Black Friday brought sales higher than expected nationwide and may've saved several stores in Colorado as well.

"I feel good. Besides I always think that I worked way too hard for this beautiful store to just let it go. So we're just going to stay positive and keep going at it," said Sabine Rocho, owner or Eve, a women's boutique in Larimer Square.

One month ago, Rocho was afraid she would have to close her labor of love after eight successful years.

Along came Black Friday, the day retailers traditionally start turning a profit, from red to black.

"It was not better than last year's Black Friday. But my month all over was better," Rocho said. "That right there, I didn't do all the math but, as long as it's a plus, that's what I'm looking for."

She is hoping the remaining 24 shopping days left before Christmas will help keep the momentum going.

"Well and I think we're all still nervous," Rocho said.

At Cherry Creek mall, business on the day after Thanksgiving was strong, as was Saturday afternoon, followed by a slow Sunday.

"But when we look at the weekend in its aggregate we're very pleased," said Nick LeMasters, mall GM. "Given all that we heard going into the weekend, to be able to come out the way we did, uh, we were thrilled."

Shopkeepers tell 7NEWS they either met or exceeded sales goals for the weekend.

One woman said customers were buying cheaper items this year.

"Some have said they far exceeded their goals. Some have said (it was) about like last year. A few others have said (it was) a little off. So, I think, on balance, if I were to just take a look at the numbers in total, I'd say we're either slightly up, maybe mid-single digits over last year," LeMasters said.

Shoppers seemed to agree that good deals were a strong incentive to prove the skeptics wrong.

"I mean me, as a hair-dresser, I'm definitely slower than I've ever been in a long, long time. I'm feeling that repercussion too. But I'm just trying to stay confident, get out there, still buy stuff and turn it back around," said Avis Soria.

"I think there's some good buys out there if you pay attention to what you're buying. And I think it's a real advantage to the shopper," said Joan Johnson.

Reps from Park Meadows, Flatiron Crossing and Southlands shopping centers all offered anecdotal evidence that sales were better than expected for the last three days of November.