WILKES-BARRE -- It's been a busy day in grocery stores and bakeries all throughout our area.
In the Wyoming Valley, some people shopped for dinner supplies and sweet treats Thursday to avoid the big rush before Easter Sunday.
Big Easter hams, fresh lilies and mums, plus holiday decorations are the hot items at Schiels Family Market on Hanover Street in Wilkes-Barre. The aisles were packed with people stocking up before church services on Holy Thursday. Some say they got their groceries early to avoid the shopping rush on Good Friday and Saturday.
"A little bit of everything, some makings for meatballs, some chicken, some sausage, some potatoes, all the good deserts," said Colleen Waldron of Wilkes-Barre.
Waldron is hosting a big Easter dinner at her home in Wilkes-Barre. Her daughter Lindsee is a cashier at Schiels. She says working the holidays can be challenging.
"Usually the crowds," she said. "Not enough workers and too many people."
Inside Bakery Delight in Plains Township, workers expect to sell 15,000 of nut rolls over Easter. Workers also say they're surprised to see how much of the sweet stuff sold during Lent.
"After Ash Wednesday, people are supposed to fast and everything but actually, business picks up. Instead of people cutting back, we sell a lot more sweets and things like that," said George Blom.
Workers inside the bakery on South River Street in Plains Township have been working around the clock for several days, making hundreds of chocolate eggs, cupcakes, and Paska bread. Some customers had to make a second trip, saying they couldn't wait and indulged in their baked goods before Easter Sunday