New City Shoppers Braving The Elements

Sal of Bardonia traveled to DeCiccio Family Market to buy meat. He said he did not mind the snow that was falling steadily; it was the other drivers who concerned him.

“It’s a slug because it’s slippery and people are doing around 20 miles an hour,” he said.

Sal had plenty of company in the grocery store. Mark Wanamaker was in the market with his son, Liam.

His reason for being out was “Cause I love the snow,” he said. Liam felt the same way about the snow. “I like it a lot,” said the 10 year old.

His father added another reason. “We’re making homemade pizza tonight,” he said. “We need some ingredients.”

Mark Wanamaker said their weekend plans changed with the arrival of the snowstorm. A ski trip to slopes about three hours transitioned to a day trip on Saturday to a closer mountain.

“Chaotic and “very busy”” was how General Manager Jim Caprilet described Thursday and Friday at the store. He said customers were buying bread, eggs - the typical storm food items - but also filling their grocery carts. The New City resident expected De Ciccio’s to close early and said Saturday’s opening would be determined by the weather.

“We’re preparing for the worst trying to get refrigerated trucks in case power is out,” he said.

The South Main Street store lost power for a day or two after Hurricane Sandy but they were able to find refrigerated trucks to store perishable items.

Clarkstown Councilman and New City resident Frank Borelli stocked up on popcorn, chips and other snacks for a family movie night.

He asked residents to avoid driving Friday afternoon and evening.

“Stay home. Stay off the roads. Stay safe and let the emergency crews do their work,” he advised.

On North Main Street at Vanderbilt Hardware & Paint, store Manger Mike Willows said the rush of customers began late Thursday after people finished work. The popular items were going fast snow shovels, ice melt, generator and snow-blower supplies.

The stock of lanterns and batteries was limited, he said, “It’s dwindling but it’s still there.”

Willows showed off nearly empty displays of windshield scrapers, batteries, flashlights, lanterns and snow shovels. An extra delivery ice melt took up prominent places near the store’s doorways. Willows noted people bought more than one gas can and pack of batteries for lanterns but not getting as much as they did during and after Hurricane Sandy.

“I don’t think people are stressing out as much as they did with the hurricane,” he said.

Some customers purchased non-storm related items.

“Anytime we have a snowstorm, people come in and buy a lot of paint,” said Willows of Pomona.

He said people purchase paint and paint supplies and most of the regular customers actually do end up painting.