EDWARDSVILLE — Shoppers at most area grocery stores found themselves waiting in long lines on Friday morning, Jan. 23, 2026, as they stocked up on essentials ahead of a winter storm expected to hit the Metro East Illinois area this weekend.
Justin Hawkins, owner of the Philly Pretzel Factory in Glen Carbon, described the scene Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, at Schnucks after he snapped a photo used above, saying, “We saw people standing in the back of the store — in front of the meat counter — in line to check out.” He noted the unusual crowding and said another shopper took a photo showing lines extending back to the dairy section.
Hawkins said most of the items he purchased were for his family, though some were for his business. He encouraged customers to visit the Philly Pretzel Factory in Glen Carbon over the next few days for weekend snacking during the intense winter weather, adding that the pretzel supply business had plenty of supplies…