Shovels for sale hard to find [The Frederick News-Post, Md.]

Feb. 10--Predictions of more snowfall made for a run on local Southern States stores Tuesday, depleting shovels and putting a dent in other supplies.

"People are beginning to believe the weatherman," said Lloyd Taylor, manager of Southern State's Brunswick store. "I'm swamped with customers. All those old shovels can't handle the workload they're getting."

Frederick resident Karen Keyton had to settle for a flat shovel. Snow shovels had run out at the Southern States store in Frederick .

"The first one broke and you can't find any at Loews or Home Depot," Keyton said, buying her flat shovel at the Southern States store in Frederick .

New supplies of shovels quickly sold out and there was a run on salt, bird seed and animal feed Tuesday, Southern States sales associate Kate Dennis said.

"People are stocking up because they won't be able to get out for a couple of days. We've also sold quite a few boots, propane and kerosene heaters," Dennis said.

It was the same at the Woodsboro store.

"I picked up a dozen shovels at 11:30 this morning and by 12:30 they were gone," said Harry T. Plunkard Jr., manager of Southern States' Woodsboro branch.

"And I'm not sure when we'll get a new supply. I'm sure our warehouse in Virginia is in the same boat."

Snow-covered ground also means there's no food for the birds, so people were buying a lot of bird seed, Plunkard said.

The need for shovels can't be overstated, Dennis said.

"I heard some people were trying to steal shovels out of the back of people's trucks. Now, that's a scary thing," he said.

The first lull in customers at the Frederick store was at 1:20 p.m. Tuesday, Dennis said.

Tuesday marked James Rector's second trip to Southern States for salt.

"My driveway is a quarter-mile long," the Frederick resident said. "We just got it all dug out. Now we're preparing for this new storm."

But Rector's salt purchase was also intended to equip him for his furniture moving business. He had two jobs that had to be done despite the weather, he said.

"People are losing their homes and there are contracts to move furniture out on certain dates. When we get to people's houses and they haven't shoveled the snow, we put salt down to keep us from slipping," Rector said.

Keyton said she was disappointed at the city's snow removal efforts.

"I know they're over-worked but not to have your main streets cleared, I'm sorry, that's unacceptable," Keyton said. "I just drove through (U.S.) 40 into downtown and it's one lane each way."

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