Perched in his office above the shopping aisles of the Westside Market, manager Efren Mones keeps a watchful eye. On the last weekend before Thanksgiving, he’s ready for a rush of shoppers in need of holiday staples. 

“Butter, eggs, milk, sugar, all the baking items,” are what’s in most demand, he says.

What You Need To Know

  • Westside Market’s store manager says they have triple the amount of eggs and butter in stock ready for holiday shoppers

  • The store manager expects possible COVID-19 restrictions to bring on more customers in search of non perishable food

Early on Saturday morning, no lines or crowds form yet, while staff continue their work to ensure shelves are fully stocked and organized. 

Fresh turkeys rest neatly in the refrigerated aisle. 

“People don’t like frozen turkeys at this moment,” said Mones.

His team started preparing for the weekend five days in advance. They tripled the supply of eggs and butter to meet expected demand. 

“Baking items are the more hot during this season,” he said. 

Also on Mones’s mind is being ready if and when additional COVID-19 restrictions are announced. He says that usually causes a surge of customers in search of non perishables, like canned goods and rice.

“Yes we are ready for that, we are ready,” he said.

The mayor said Friday that New York City could possibly be deemed an Orange zone after Thanksgiving, which would bring about restrictions on indoor dining and non essential businesses, but the governor cast doubt on that timing.

For Mones, that means he can’t be sure when to expect a flood customers stocking up on groceries in response to new  restrictions. For now, he says he’s ready for whatever this weekend brings his way, whether it’s a holiday rush or New Yorkers preparing to stay home.