CINCINNATI — As the Tri-State prepares for the possibility of several inches of snowfall this weekend, Cincinnatians are already stocking up.
We spent most of the day at retailers and grocery stores to see how shoppers are preparing.
At Ace Hardware, many people, like Abby Hobbs, stopped in to buy shovels and salt.
"Figured it would be a better idea to get stuff today than closer to," Hobbs said.
Patrick Schultheis said he didn't originally go to get any winter supplies, but figured an extra shovel at the house wasn't a bad idea.
"We have one and my wife can shovel too, so less work for me," Schultheis said.
WATCH: We spoke to Hyde Park shoppers about how they're preparing for this weekend's snowstorm
Jon Doucleff, the assistant store manager, said he anticipates many items will be gone by tomorrow.
"What we have on the floor right now will probably last ... a day," Doucleff said.
He said if you're in need of things like shovels or snow brushes, go out as soon as you can.
"We have only a couple of dozen shovels left at this point," Doucleff said.
Kroger shoppers told us the grocery store was also packed.
"It is insane right now," shopper Iris McClish said. "Super busy."
We spoke to Joe Wolf after he stocked up for the weekend.
"At least 50, 60% more people in there right now," Wolf said.
Wolf said the lines around noon on Thursday were already longer than usual. He said he anticipates they will be even busier on Friday and Saturday.
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At some stores, empty shelves appeared to greet customers.
"Even if the storm's not that bad, the shelves are empty now," said Grace Caniglia, a Covington resident shopping at Aldi in Newport.
Watch: What shoppers across the Tri-State had to say as they stock up on essentials
Austin Myers, also from Covington, said he learned to take storm forecasts seriously after being caught unprepared in the past.
"All the fruit and vegetables are gone. The meat was kind of empty. Just kind of picking what you could get at this point," Myers said.
Some smaller, locally-sourced stores are seeing different results. ETC Produce in Walnut Hills told us they have steady inventory levels thanks to relationships with local suppliers.
"Last time it snowed, it was Saturday through Sunday, just like it's going to be this weekend. And we had two days worth of sales just in that day, just from people stocking up," said Greg Estep, ETC Produce manager.
Estep said the store plans to maintain regular hours during the storm, with most employees living in the neighborhood and products sourced locally.
"Every time it snows, we're always open. We have a lot of employees that live right here in Walnut Hills, so it's not really hard to staff up — give us a foot, we'll be open," Estep said.
For those looking to avoid long lines by using delivery, Kroger delivery options are almost all unavailable from now through Sunday.
However, there are more options with Instacart if you don't mind paying some extra fees.
The best advice shoppers told us they had for others: don't delay.
"Go early," Wolf said.
WCPO has reached out to Aldi and Trader Joe's to ask what's being done to get products back on the shelves and how much of this is directly related to the incoming weather. A manager at Trader Joe's in Kenwood said they couldn't comment right now but would get back with information as soon as possible.
We have not yet heard back from Aldi.
