Easton Home Center Sees Huge Demand Ahead of Storm

EASTON, Pennsylvania – A surge in demand for winter weather supplies led to an unusual scene at Piscitello’s Home Center in Easton Friday night, as customers lined up well before opening hours to secure essential items. The rush followed a restocking effort by the store’s owners to address dwindling supplies ahead of an approaching storm.

Unexpected Demand

Co-Owner Dave Kolver reported that approximately 100 people were waiting outside the store by 7:30 a.m., despite an 8:00 a.m. opening. “We open at 8 o’clock, but the line at 7:30 got a little over whelming, so we let people in the store cause it was so cold out this morning,” Kolver said. The crowd grew so large it briefly impacted traffic flow on Wood Avenue.

A Proactive Response

Piscitello’s Home Center had experienced supply shortages, prompting Kolver to take direct action. Recognizing “everyone is out of everything,” he and another employee drove to West Virginia to retrieve a substantial shipment of winter essentials. “We took two trucks and headed to West Virginia yesterday for hundreds of shovels and buckets, all that good stuff and sleds,” Kolver explained.

Did You Know? Piscitello’s Home Center secured hundreds of shovels, buckets, and sleds by making a trip to a vendor in West Virginia.

The most sought-after item on Saturday was rock salt. According to Eryka Machado, front end lead at Piscitello’s, “100% salt, shovels were a big thing, kerosene heaters, gas cans, that’s all we’ve been going through nonstop, all week.”

Preparing for the Storm

Piscitello’s Home Center extended its hours, remaining open until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday to accommodate the increased customer traffic. The store is scheduled to close on Sunday in anticipation of the storm. Kolver indicated a plan to restock rock salt supplies by Tuesday.

Expert Insight: The rapid depletion of essential winter supplies and the lengths to which a local business owner went to replenish them underscores the potential impact of severe weather on communities and the importance of preparedness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What items were in highest demand at Piscitello’s Home Center?

Rock salt, shovels, kerosene heaters, and gas cans were the items customers were purchasing “nonstop, all week,” according to Eryka Machado.

How did Piscitello’s Home Center respond to running low on supplies?

Co-Owner Dave Kolver personally drove with another employee to West Virginia to pick up hundreds of shovels, buckets, sleds, and other winter weather items.

When will Piscitello’s Home Center be restocked with rock salt?

Dave Kolver stated he expects to have rock salt back in stock by Tuesday.

As communities brace for potential winter storms, how do local businesses play a role in ensuring residents have access to essential supplies?