Still Shopping With Zero Days Left, Many Keep Registers Ringing With Last-Minute Items

They expect to be able to buy fresh mushrooms and fresh zucchini on Christmas Day.

But people who snooze until the last minute are lucky to find eggs when they dash out to fill the “oh darn, I forgot it” list on this holiday in North Idaho.

That didn’t keep business from being brisk at Gittel’s Grocery, at the corner of Harrison Avenue and Government Way. And the baskets didn’t necessarily resemble anything festive.

As a young man played the Atari game in the corner with final-exam concentration, people blasted through the store non-stop for dog food, lottery tickets, tortillas, bacon, toilet paper, potatoes, dinner rolls, beer, wine and even a rose.

“People run in here, grab a cart and get everything,” said an almost-breathless Cindy Garcia running from a ringing telephone to ringing up the cash register. “It’s been a zoo, a complete zoo.”

“No, I’m sorry, we don’t have chicken,” she told one caller, and went back to helping the line of customers that stretched well back into the candy bar aisle. There were no more eggs or unfiltered Camel cigarettes and the store almost was out of batteries.

Eggs also were in demand at The Gas Mart on Government Way and Ironwood Drive. A man strode in and left just as quickly when he found out there were none.

Last minute cooking project? “Eggs for breakfast,” he said over his shoulder as he dashed away for another try elsewhere. “I’m hungry.”

The holiday clerk, Sindee Corbin, just smiled. “We ran out of eggs last night.” Then “Some guy called this morning for latte syrup,” she said. “I just told him we don’t have that stuff.”

Sunset Taxi driver Mike Cook was cheery about his holiday duties. “I’m a backup (driver) today,” he said.

“I’ve probably worked Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for the last 15 to 20 years,” Cook said. “Not having a family, it’s easier for us to work than it is for those who do.”

Cook didn’t expect too much business today, except that 1:30 to 3 p.m. rush of people wanting a ride to Christmas dinner.

Daniel Coll, 12, and Josh Whitford, 11, would have been stranded if not for Pay Less Drug opening its doors. They received Roller Blades for Christmas, but no laces to keep the skates afoot.

“I asked for Lightnings,” Daniel explained as he sat in the aisle and laced up his new coal black in-line skates. “They are durable.”

Josh evaluated it more technically. “Good bearings and chassis … good bearings so they go fast,” he said. And they skated for the sunset, Josh without installing his laces.

“We have to be home pretty soon,” he said of that decision.

Up the aisle, Debi Walsh admired a one-foot tall Santa and contemplated finding a home for it in an already loaded shopping cart. “I came down here for batteries and now I’m doing my Christmas shopping for next year,” said Walsh, who lives in Post Falls.

She mistakenly got AA batteries for her son’s toy and it needed AAA. No problem. Bargains galore to reward her venture.

Walsh found slippers, ribbons, gift wrap, lights, and several presents at too-good-to-pass-up prices. Not everything will be closet-bound until the next Yuletide.

“I got a little Santa that talks,” she said. “It says ‘Happy New Year.”’

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo