Residents across South Jersey are bracing for another winter storm, but finding essential supplies like rock salt and ice melt is proving increasingly difficult as shortages grip the region.
Hardware stores, typically well-stocked for winter weather, are reporting dwindling supplies, leaving customers scrambling to prepare before the anticipated snowfall. The situation is particularly acute after recent storms depleted existing inventories.
Eric Davies, of Cherry Hill, expressed a common sentiment: “Very sick of it, ready for spring, that first nice day of being able to open the windows and get some fresh air in the house,” he said, reflecting the widespread desire for warmer weather.
Deanna Francesconi of Haddon Township acted quickly, visiting Westmont Ace Hardware to secure supplies. “I said to him, ‘We’re gonna go today because the closer it gets to Sunday, the more they won’t have any more salt,’” she recounted, highlighting the growing urgency among residents.
Bill Getzinger, owner of Westmont Ace Hardware, confirmed the surge in demand. “People are starting to panic a little bit. The people that got shut out during the last storm, making sure they have their shovel, they have their salt and are ready to go,” he explained. As of Friday night, the store had completely sold out of salt, despite having one pallet of ice melt remaining.
The shortage isn’t limited to Ace Hardware. Cartun Hardware in Camden has already exhausted its entire stock of salt. Owner David Garrison attributed the problem to supply chain disruptions, noting that his supplier has struggled to keep up with demand following an unusually harsh winter.
“Early January, we got notice that 22 of the 25 different brands of salt were out for the season. Right now, there’s no calcium, no blends, no pet safe available from the suppliers,” Garrison said. He added that customers are increasingly frustrated by the lack of availability.
“Everyone’s coming in saying, ‘Can I have salt, can I get salt?’” Garrison stated.
The demand has been significantly higher this year. Garrison reported that his store has already sold approximately 19 tons of rock salt, compared to 6 tons last year and a mere two bags the year before. Recent orders have failed to materialize, further exacerbating the problem. “We have four skids on order, but they’re scheduled for delivery last week. Did not come in,” he said.
The scarcity of salt is also driving demand for alternative snow and ice removal tools. “We’ve sold out of our entire spring order of garden shovels in order to get through the ice and bricks that are out there,” Garrison noted.
The shortages are occurring as South Jersey prepares for a significant winter storm, with blizzard warnings issued for coastal areas and forecasts predicting up to a foot of snow in parts of the Philadelphia region.
Residents are advised to prepare for potentially hazardous travel conditions and to secure supplies as quickly as possible, though availability remains a significant challenge.
