South Jersey residents are scrambling to secure rock salt and ice melt as another snowstorm approaches, with hardware stores reporting dwindling supplies and frustrated customers facing potential shortages. The surge in demand comes after several recent storms already depleted local stocks, exacerbating existing supply chain issues.
Eric Davies, of Cherry Hill, expressed his frustration with the recurring winter weather. “Very sick of it, ready for spring, that first nice day of being able to open the windows and get some fresh air in the house,” he said.
Deanna Francesconi of Haddon Township visited Westmont Ace Hardware on Friday, anticipating the impending storm. “I said to him, ‘We’re gonna go today as the closer it gets to Sunday, the more they won’t have any more salt,’” Francesconi recounted.
Bill Getzinger, owner of Westmont Ace Hardware, confirmed the increased demand. “People are starting to panic a little bit. The people that got shut out during the last storm, making sure they have their shovel, they have their salt, and are ready to go.” By Friday night, Getzinger reported the store was completely sold out of ice melt, with only one pallet remaining earlier in the day.
The situation is similar in Camden, where Cartun Hardware has already exhausted its entire salt supply. Owner David Garrison attributed the shortages to broader supply chain disruptions. “Early January, we got notice that 22 of the 25 different brands of salt were out for the season. Right now, there’s no calcium, no blends, no pet safe available from the suppliers,” Garrison stated.
Garrison noted the unprecedented demand this winter. “This year we’ve gone through about 19 tons of rock salt. Last year we went through about 6 tons, and the year prior to that we sold two bags,” he said. Shipments expected last week have not yet arrived, despite being on order. “We have four skids on order, but they’re scheduled for delivery last week. Did not come in.”
The lack of salt has prompted customers to seek alternative snow and ice removal tools. “We’ve sold out of our entire spring order of garden shovels in order to get through the ice and bricks that are out there,” Garrison added.
The Boys South Jersey Track Coaches Association Open was held recently, according to reports, but had no bearing on the salt shortage.
