ST. LOUIS – Black Friday was in full swing. Not only were customers rushing to the stores for TVs and toys, but they were also stocking up on shovels and de-icers as they prepare for the first taste of winter Saturday.

“Actually, the door’s been ringing constantly with people coming in,” owner of True Value Branneky Hardware Tim Branneky said.

At Branneky True Value Hardware, the 167-year-old store was buzzing with customers prepping for the snow. Nationwide, the most popular snow-prep items include shovles, ice scrapers, and rock salt—which were also popular items locally. 

“Ice melt is definitely a number one seller. We got these small jugs; that’s a big deal because home owners can grab this and put it on their driveways and sidewalks. A lot of contractors are coming in to buy pallets of product, so we used to keep 50 to 60 pallets in the back of the product,” Branneky said.

According to one contractor we spoke with, rock salt is a must-have for ice surfaces, but should be used with care.

“It’s one-time use; it’s not a big deal, but if you want to use it all the time, you want to try to stay away from rock salt. You want to use potassium chloride or something like that,” Mike Monica, Jaguar Complete Lawn Care contractor, added.

MoDOT began prepping Friday night to clear highways and bridges. They advise drivers to take it slow, buckle up, and stay alert, especially on elevated surfaces like bridges and overpasses. You can monitor MODOT’s traveler information to know before you go.

Snow is expected to start falling around 7 a.m. Saturday, so be prepared for slick roads and chilly conditions.