RICHMOND, Ky. (LEX 18) — Several hardware stores in the area are fresh out of winter weather essentials like rock salt, shovels and de-icer.
With shelves bare and another winter storm on the way, shops are rushing to re-stock.
LEX 18 visited one of those stores: Ace Hardware in Richmond.
While there, the phone rang and rang several times about every minute.
"No, we are out of salt at the present time," one employee said as she answered the phone.
Manager Marty Williams said it's been like that all day. He said customers want to know whether the store has winter essentials like ice scrapers and generators.
The answer Tuesday, for nearly all winter items, has been: no.
"Ninety-five percent of those telephone calls are going to be for those particular items," Williams said. "It's kind of disheartening when you know that you can't, you don't have any way of taking care of that."
Williams said it is especially difficult knowing that so many people in Madison County are still without power and need items like kerosene heaters. But, they're all out of stock.
He said he is expecting a shipment of kerosene heaters Wednesday. As for the other essentials, he said he hopes to get them in Thursday.
The weather, however, could cause delays and he asks that customers call ahead first before they come in. If they don't absolutely need an item, he suggests staying inside, as state officials have also recommended.
