Roanokers rush for supplies to gear up for snow

Whenever a winter storm is coming, the first place many people go is the grocery store. Kroger at Cave Spring Corners saw 5,000 customers on Thursday and they were expecting that many on Friday.

“It’s crazy out there. You can’t even find a parking spot,” said Stuart Bralley, who was grocery shopping.

As he pushed his cart through the line, Bralley showed us what he bought.

“I have a little bit of everything. Mostly chips and things like that. My wife, earlier, got the milk and bread so just some things we could munch on,” he said.

Grocery stores weren’t the only ones ready for re-stocking. Lowe’s sold out of about 750 snow shovels by Friday morning.

Rodney Jefferson got the last big shovel.

“Pretty lucky. They was going pretty quick,” he said.

The only ones left before the next shipment arrived were the smaller shovels for children, but Anthony Hairston said he’ll take it.

“It ain’t much, but I ain’t trying to go nowhere else looking,” he said.

At Home Depot, workers say they’re seeing that same customer-surge. They sold out of snow shovels late this morning and are also expecting another shipment to come in.

While some prepared to dig themselves out of the snow, others are prepared to be stuck. Workers had a long line of customers at Hollywood Video on Brambleton Avenue.

“My sister actually sent me to get some movies. She said we’re going to be stuck in the house for a few days- might as well go get some movies. I figured there were a couple new ones out so I came to grab some before the big snow hits,” said Lauren Calhoun.

But, no matter where we went, people ran their errands with a smile.

“No pushing or anything- seems like everybody’s kind of excited, really,” said Bralley.

It’s an early start to the holidays that many just don’t seem to mind.