NH grocery stores filled with last-minute shoppers ahead of weekend storm

NH grocery stores filled with last-minute shoppers ahead of weekend storm

MANCHESTER, N.H. —

From the deli counter to the cash registers and even out to the parking lot, Manchester’s Market Basket was full of shoppers Friday evening.

Grocery stores across New Hampshire were filled with shoppers Friday ahead of this weekend’s storm, which could bring more than a foot of snow across the state.

Some came prepared with entire shopping lists and others who were there said they just needed “one last thing,” but either way Granite Staters said this level of hustle and bustle is what they have come to expect at the grocery store in the days leading up to the storm.

“It took me, like, three rounds just to get to that parking spot,” said Manchester April Bess, who was out shopping Friday afternoon. “I’m only here for a few things.”

And Bess wasn’t alone.

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“I am just last-minute shopping now before the storm. And, I didn’t know we were having a storm here,” said Damarge Ewinges. “[It’s] crazy, tight. Getting up and down the aisles is insane.”

It has been years since a storm has brought this much snow to New Hampshire, which is why shoppers came prepared to buy enough groceries to be “snowed-in” for a few days.

“I’ve got the other essentials already. Like toilet paper. And, we’re going to make it, and I’m going to make French toast,” said Laurie Waylan of Manchester. “The next two, three days. I’m going to get my coffee and sit home and crochet all weekend long.”

Others, like Bess, said they’ll be taking advantage of the time indoors.

“Most likely baking for your mom and, hopefully, just family time. We live close to each other,” she said.

One silver lining: the lines at a Manchester Market Basket were moving pretty quickly, and shoppers said they didn’t have to wait too long to get through the checkout lines.