Businesses across the valley are bracing for the winter weather this weekend and are seeing a lot of traffic as people stock up, trying to avoid the roads.

Even the automatic doors at the Handyman Supply of Struthers were being put to the test with shoppers picking up salt, shovels, and even snowblowers.

"Snowblowers are a little low, I don't know if I should say that but we're down to one and that's usually doesn't happen," said Tony Vaccaro, store manager.

Vaccaro tells 21 News folks should stock up on batteries, and flashlights and that it doesn't hurt to have a generator in the case of a power outage. They've been running through shovels, heaters as well as sleds and handwarmers.

In Columbiana, the village Sparkle has seen its share of a shopping frenzy. 

"You're still taking care of the customers, taking care of their groceries for them, and you also have to stock shelves...you almost have to double your staff for something like this," said Brandon Hacker, store manager.

Hacker says their truck came in just before the anticipated winter storm event, allowing them to keep shelves stocked, and meet the demand.

"Being that we're a grocery store, we sell a lot of broth, a lot of chili products, but also matches; just in case of a little bit of a power outage," he added.

Both the Columbiana Sparkle and Handyman Supply in Struthers will be open throughout the weekend. Handyman Supply has two other locations, one in Niles, and in Cortland that will be open as well.