JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Grocery stores are already seeing a rush a day ahead of Thanksgiving, and many brought in extra employees to deal with the crowds.
The Winn-Dixie in Lakewood is open until 11 p.m. Wednesday and will be open until 4 p.m. Thursday.
"It has just been nonstop," said Brian Heinrich, Winn-Dixie area manager. "We have staffed extra people to make sure that everybody is getting in and out as quick as possible. We have employees here to help you find something that you're not normally shopping for."
All across town, grocery stores are feeling the rush.
The parking lot of one Westside Walmart was so full, it looked like a football game was going on.
"My gosh, I thought I was beating the rush this morning, but everybody is out," said shopper Monica Sims. "Everybody is doing last-minute.
The good news is Thanksgiving won't cost customers much more this year. The American Farm Bureau Federation said it'll be about $50 ($49.41) to feed a party of 10. That's around $5 a person, the same it's been for a few years now.
"A very affordable meal still," said John Anderson with the AFBF.
Grocery store openings for holiday:
- All Winn-Dixie stores will be open Thanksgiving Day until 4 p.m. Regular hours resume Friday. Most stores will remain open until 11 p.m. Wednesday. Check with your neighborhood store for more details as hours may vary.
- Most area Walmart stores will continue to be open 24 hours on Thanksgiving Day. The chain of superstores has remained open on the holiday since 1988.
- Publix stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. They will be open regular hours on Wednesday and Friday.
- Most Target stores will be open starting at 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.