- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Connecticut Shoppers Rush Grocery Stores Ahead of Blizzard
Stores see surge in customers stocking up on essentials as state braces for up to 22 inches of snow and high winds.
Feb. 21, 2026 at 8:09pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
With a major winter storm expected to hit Connecticut on Sunday, grocery stores across the state have seen a surge in shoppers rushing to stock up on essential items like eggs, milk, and bananas. Trader Joe's in Hamden and the Food Emporium in Brookfield reported being packed with customers since opening on Saturday, with lines stretching out the door as people prepare for the potentially historic blizzard.
Why it matters
The impending blizzard has prompted Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont to issue a warning for residents to prepare for dangerous travel conditions and to stay off the roads on Sunday night and Monday morning. The high snowfall rates and powerful wind gusts expected could lead to power outages and other disruptions, making the surge in grocery store traffic an understandable response from concerned citizens.
The details
According to Trader Joe's captain Courtney Nembhard, the Hamden store has been "packed since it opened at 9 a.m. Saturday" as customers stock up on their "favorite" items. Similarly, the Food Emporium in Brookfield was "at least four times as busy" as a typical Saturday, with store manager Christopher May noting that people are buying a lot of "staple items" like eggs, milk, and bananas.
- The winter storm is expected to hit Connecticut on Sunday and continue through Monday.
- Blizzard warnings have been issued along the coast starting at 6 a.m. Sunday and lasting until 6 p.m. Monday.
The players
Courtney Nembhard
A captain at the Trader Joe's store in Hamden, Connecticut.
Christopher May
The store manager of the Food Emporium in Brookfield, Connecticut.
Ned Lamont
The Governor of Connecticut who has urged residents to prepare for the potentially historic blizzard.
What they’re saying
“They are buying all their favorites — all the popular items that we carry here at Trader Joe's.”
— Courtney Nembhard, Trader Joe's captain
“It feels like the grand opening again. It's definitely real, real busy. We have long lines going but we are getting people in and out of the store quickly.”
— Courtney Nembhard, Trader Joe's captain
“The forecast changed very quickly over the last 24 hours, and now it appears that we have a significant storm heading in our direction that is likely to bring blizzard conditions.”
— Ned Lamont, Governor of Connecticut
What’s next
Governor Lamont has urged residents to stay off the roads on Sunday night and through at least Monday morning as the blizzard is expected to bring dangerous travel conditions.
The takeaway
The rush on Connecticut grocery stores highlights the community's proactive response to the impending severe winter storm, as residents take steps to ensure they have essential supplies on hand during what could be a historic blizzard with high snowfall and powerful winds.
