For Thanksgiving, shoppers and businesses adapt to pandemic

Thanksgiving is next week but preparations are already underway for a pandemic holiday that will no doubt look different in 2020 than previous years.

Grocery stores are already noticing some changes in the lead up to Thanksgiving.

Zanotto's Markets, including the store in San Jose's Willow Glen, has already seen more shoppers than usual on the week before Thanksgiving week.

"We're seeing customers just prepare early," said Khadija Zanotto with Zanotto's Market. "We're seeing a lot of dried goods being purchased. This last weekend was pretty busy weekend here at Zanotto's."

She says the grocery store has plenty of stuffing, pumpkin and turkey. Turkey sales are actually up, she said.

"I think that's just because more people are eating in their own home and not going to Grandma and Grandpa's this year," said Zanotto.

She did notice a dramatic drop in turkey purchases for so-called 'Friendsgiving' celebrations that would usually have been held this past weekend.

This year, the store is adding extra hours the week of Thanksgiving to help spread out shoppers.

"Our lines are going to look different this year because they're not really going to be inside the stores. We're trying to keep all that waiting potentially outside the store," said Zanotto.

For those planning an outdoor get-together, patio heaters are hard to find.

The online site Wayfair says the heaters were the most searched outdoor product from August through October.

At Ace Hardware Los Gatos, last month's shipment of 10 patio heaters sold out in two days instead of the usual two months.

"The demand has way far exceeded the supply and we don't expect any more shipments until after the first of year," said co-owner Bryan Matsumoto.

He says Ace Hardware customers are turning to other options like fire pits and space heaters, adding the supply of propane is also dwindling because of the popularity of patio heaters and outdoor grilling.

"We try to do the best to support our community and have in stock the things they need," said Matsumoto, "and we've been searching everywhere to get the supply and it's hard to find this year. Can't wait for 2021,"