After Winter Storm Izzy’s shopping rush, where Habersham citizens spent their weekend stocking up on food essentials and supplies to weather power outages, store shelves were left barren and supplies were in high demand.
While fully restocking those shelves seems like the next move, it might not be possible with the potential of more winter weather arriving Friday. Businesses and shoppers are preparing to have everything they need to make it through snowy conditions beforehand.
Lowe’s currently has 165 generators in stock, according to management, after selling out just before Izzy hit Habersham County. As shoppers prepared for the storm, Lowe’s sold over 200 generators.
“We’ve got plenty [of generators] now, I think we’ll be alright,” Jordan Webb, a manager at Cornelia Lowe’s says. In terms of other items, like extension cords, wire, gas cans and snow shovels, though, Lowe’s is either completely sold out or the items are in low stock. Webb says they won’t have any more shipped in before the weekend.
Shelves at Walmart in Cornelia were nearly empty the day before Izzy caused damage, power outages and dangerous road conditions in Habersham. Now Habersham asked Walmart employees for their input on how they were preparing for winter weather but were unable to get further information without the approval of the Walmart Corporation.
“We’re going to take a pass on this opportunity,” Director of Walmart’s press office Charles Crowson said when Now Habersham asked to speak with an employee about how Winter Storm Izzy affected the store. “Our decision at this time is to pass on such interview requests with both corporate and store representatives.”
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Shoppers at Ingles in Clarkesville say that while shopping before the storm was chaotic, getting the things they need following it, and preparing for what they may need this weekend, has been a much better shopping experience.
“It was kind of crazy,” says Sonya of North Habersham, reflecting on her shopping trip at the Cornelia Ingles before the storm. She says in comparison to other grocery stores, though, her trip at the Cornelia Ingles was pleasant. “It was a good experience in Cornelia, they had a lot more on their shelves than this [Clarkesville Ingles] store.”
For Faye Brookshire of Clarkesville, whose power was out from Sunday morning until Tuesday, her Ingles trip was to restock spoiled items in her fridge and freezer and get what they need to weather more snow.
She says she’s “absolutely” preparing for the worst. “I will be more prepared this time,” Brookshire says.
Webb says the biggest challenges he sees Lowe’s and their shoppers facing with more winter weather potentially on the way are employees being able to safely come to work, and people last-minute shopping for the things they’ll need.
“Go out and get what you need before the [snow],” Webb says. “Don’t wait until Thursday night at 8:00 p.m. to show up and expect us to have everything you need, because I promise we’re not going to.”
