Shoppers flood Ward’s making final thanksgiving preparations

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - It was a madhouse inside Ward’s Grocery Store in Gainesville as people made their final preparations for Thanksgiving meals.

The co-owner of Ward’s says shoppers were ready bright and early to get all their shopping done.

“We started seeing customers come into the parking lot about 7:30,” said Danielle Ward. “We normally open at 8, but I couldn’t stand it anymore. About 10 minutes to 8, I had to open the door. Floodgates opened.”

Lois Coe was one of many people who braved the crowds and got her list checked off.

“It was good,” said Coe. “I just got in line and kind of waited. Everybody is rushing, it’s fun though I like it. I do it every year.”

Coe was preparing for quite the menu as she wrapped up her shopping Wednesday morning.

“I have collared greens,” said Coe, “I have rice, I have turkey, I have dressing, I have macaroni and cheese, I have potato salad and I have candied yams.”

The busiest section of the store by far was the meat aisle, as people scrambled for turkeys, hams and all kinds of smoked meats.

“Turkey wings,” said Ward about the most in-demand item. “Turkey wings are crazy this year. I’m not real sure what it is about turkey wings but that’s what everybody wants along with collared greens and mustard greens.”

Ward said this is the first year since COVID-19 struck that she has noticed demand back to pre-pandemic levels.

“With COVID and everything the last two or three years,” said Ward, “it’s been a bit of a challenge with people wanting to get together with families. This year you can just feel the excitement, feel the freshness in the air and we are selling smoked turkeys and hams like crazy.”

Ward said they had been slammed all week, but that Wednesday was on a different level.

“About 30 customers waiting in line,” said Ward. “Everybody’s been in a great mood. Cashiers are here waiting on customers and we have a full house inside.”

This year prices around the country are down about 4.5% for a turkey dinner that feeds 10 people, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

However, at $61.17, the average price is still the second-highest on record since they began their survey 38 years ago.