Seems a matter of when you go. After work and weekend afternoons is when everyone is out and about and that's when it packs up bad. If you can get out later, or early, it isn't as bad.
I went out later (after 7) in the evening Black Friday, and it wasn't too bad. The Hallmark shop even mentioned it was less busy than they had expected/were hoping for.
Admittedly, I've been a bit too chicken (and too broke
) to brave the stores much beyond that. Last weekend I didn't go out save to Superstore on Saturday, and it wasn't too bad then. (Nashwaak Superstore that is).
Last week, the buses from the malls had 3 good days (M,T and Wed, the day of the storm) when they were able to get out of the mall and down the hall pretty quick. Thursday and Friday though, they were stuck forever. One driver (on the 5:15 run) mentioned it took him 20 minutes just to get from the mall to the Prospect intersection.
This week and weekend I'm sure it'll be packed to the gills most of the time.