With news that a snowstorm is headed for New York, Brandon Slate got a jump on snow preparations. He scoured the city over the weekend in search of coveted snow sleds.

“I went to REI co-op yesterday downtown. No luck, waited in line there. They said they had it online, they didn’t. No problem. I guess they sold out,” Slate said.

“This morning I woke up early, it’s my third stop and I just got lucky,” he explained.

Slate bought two blue plastic sleds from Garber Hardware’s Chelsea location. The fifth generation family owned business has another store in the West Village.

Sunday morning is busy for owner Nathaniel Garber Schoen. A steady stream of customers filter through in search of radiator parts, plant food, and light bulbs. The phone rings regularly with inquiries about ice scrapers, firewood, and sleds.

“They don’t even know, like, where does one acquire a sled in New York City, which is legit because unless it’s normal to you, where do you go?,” Schoen explained.

The store also stocks ice melt and shovels, tools needed to keep sidewalks clear.

Schoen and store mascot Kangaroo, a rescued dog, stand ready to equip local residents, like Carol Howell, with the necessities.

“It’s friendly, it’s run by local people, it’s not a huge corporation, you want to support your friends and neighbors where you live,” Howell said.

She leaves with snowmelt for her sidewalk, a firewood order Schoen hopes to fill Monday, and plans to sip a glass of wine by the fireplace when flakes start to fall.

“It certainly feels good to be able to serve the community,” said Schoen.

“This is a good reminder of the ‘essential’ part of being an essential business. You can’t just not have access to material needs in an emergency weather situation,” he explained.

“Also, I think I would argue that it’s essential to get out there and relieve some stress and play in the snow,” he said.