NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Many people wait until the last minute to finish their grocery shopping before Christmas and now time is running out. With Christmas Day just hours away stores like Ferraro’s in New Haven have been busy. Shoppers were looking for their Christmas dinner staples and anything perishable that they would not want to buy too early.
“I’m the last minute shopper,” said Michelle Bennerman, who was shopping at Ferraro’s on Thursday morning. “A hundred percent last minute shopper, no doubt 100%. But it’s going to be okay.”
Shoppers were looking for roasts, hams and turkeys. They also filled their carts with side dishes like stuffed mushrooms. Many knew exactly what they were looking for.
“We’re looking at the meatballs and chicken wings and all the good stuff,” said Mechell Stevens.
“[I’m looking for] a lot of cheese,” said Billy Blea. “A lot of mascarpone cheese, a lot of ricotta. We’re doing a lot of cheesecakes in my house today.”
Store managers say they were even busier on Wednesday because shoppers were buying everything they needed to cook their Christmas dinner. On Thursday they were buying the last minute ingredients that won’t last at home for very long. The rush is a challenge for customers as they try to find all the items on their lists – and for managers.
“You don’t want to lose the customer service aspect of this business either,” said Tony Delmauro, Assistant Manager at Ferraro’s. “I mean these are the days that can make or break you as far as bringing people back.”
It is also a challenge for shoppers who waited until Christmas Eve to do their shopping, but some didn’t have a choice.
“I’m one of the guys that always does everything at the last minute,” said Blea. “I work like seven days a week so I never have that much time. Every minute counts for me, so today every minute will be accounted for.”
Even though shoppers didn’t have elves to help them with their shopping they still didn’t mind that last minute trip to the store.
“Everybody is in the Christmas spirit and having a good time and speaking to one another,” said Stevens. “That’s what I’ve enjoyed most about coming back home.”
