Now with a winter storm locked in for this weekend, Pittsburghers are making last-minute runs to the grocery store, grabbing everything they can before possible whiteout conditions move in.

Yes, the storm is coming, and yes, grocery stores are busy — full carts, constant lines, and staff working overtime to make sure shelves stay stocked as people rush in for essentials. Cart after cart was rolling in and out as shoppers went into full snow prep mode.

“I thought, I’m going to get some firewood just in case I actually have to cook outside and things like that,” said shopper Meghan Baker.

You never know what challenges a storm may bring, but 8 to 14 inches of snow is no joke, and that’s why you won’t be alone while shopping.

“Just grabbing every last-minute preparation for the weekend. We can get anywhere between zero and 40, and I want to be prepared for the worst,” said shopper Tony Lee.

Right now, rock salt and calcium chloride are not easy to find anywhere.

“The only thing I don’t have is as much salt as I’d like, but it’s sold out everywhere I’ve gone the past few days,” said shopper Josh Love.

The good news is that food and essential items like the classics — eggs, milk, bread — and nonperishables are still stocked. And while we tend to joke about grocery store rushes ahead of winter storms, many shoppers say having essentials on hand is important, especially with the impacts still unknown.

“Food feels like safety sometimes. When you have kids at home and people to take care of, at least we have the essentials and can hunker down under a cozy blanket,” said Baker.

The storm is expected to move in Saturday night, so officials say Friday and early Saturday are your best bets for finishing any remaining prep shopping.

“It could be a couple of days you’re locked in the house and can’t get out anywhere, so you need to make sure you have everything to survive a couple of days,” said Lee.

Liquor stores and beer distributors see increase in sales

Once in a “Blue Moon,” we get a cold snap and a winter storm that brings people into beer distributors like Rosa’s in Latrobe.

Eavan Cypher, the general manager at Rosa’,s says bad weather is good for business. Brands like Keystone, Bud and Miller Light are selling fast.

“I’d say definitely it’s been a lot busier,” Cypher said. “We have people coming in for lots of 30 packs, lots of singles. I’ve probably put out 100 singles today at least. But with all the different 30 packs we have out and 12 packs, there’s an uptick in customers.”

Cher and Skip Smith from nearby Derry stopped into Rosa’s on Friday.   

Customers like Cher and Skip Smith from nearby Derry.

“We figured we have food, and we had to go out and get firewood, and the number two thing on our list is beer,” Cher Smith said. 

“Is that an essential?” asked KDKA’s Chris DeRose.

“It absolutely is,” Cher Smith said with a laugh. “I know toilet paper and milk and bread are at the top of the list, but for us, you got to have a cold beer.”

If you are one of the people imbibing this weekend, please do so responsibly. Don’t drink and drive, and let’s just add don’t drink and snow blow. That could end badly.

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