GIANNA VOLPE PHOTO | Orlowski Hardware on Love Lane in Mattituck Friday afternoon.
After Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on the North Fork just over three months ago, area residents are not taking chances with the approaching winter storm, dubbed “Nemo” by The Weather Channel.
Workers at area hardware stores said business has been up as the slush began filling streets Friday afternoon.
Both Jamesport and Griffing Hardware in Riverhead Town reported increases in business, as did Orlowski Hardware on Mattituck’s Love Lane.
“Things have been pretty busy and business has definitely picked up a lot,” said owner Rich Orlowski. “People are buying ice melt, snow shovels, batteries, flashlights, all the basics. They are definitely getting ready.”
Sean Harlow of Talmage Farm Agway & Garden Center said the bulk of their business rush occurred yesterday, though he expects another rush could occur after the storm, depending on the actual amount of snow that falls.
He said snowblower sales could increase as snowfall totals are expected to exceed a foot in some areas.
“If we get as much snow as they’re saying we’re going to get, I’m sure we’ll sell snowblowers,” Mr. Harlow said. “I’m hoping we get a lot because I personally like the snow.”
The store has been busy selling shovels and ice melt, he said. Yesterday a customer bought one of the store’s 5,500-watt generators.
“We didn’t really start carrying them until the hurricane and people have been purchasing them since then,” he said. “But we had a few people inquiring about them today,” he said.