SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - If you were out making last minute purchases, you know you certainly weren’t alone. Stores across western Mass saw packed aisles as people scrambled for party platters and holiday essentials. Western Mass News headed on over to one of the Big Y’s in Springfield to tell us Wednesday was one of their busiest days of the year.

“So far it’s been crazy since we opened up, we’ve had customers calling asking what time we’re open till, do we have certain items in stock, so it has been a crazy time every year,” said Anthony Zuzzo.

On Wednesday morning, we checked in with the Big Y over on Saint James Avenue in Springfield, and even by 9 a.m., the store had customers coming in and out, all looking for last-minute items.

We spoke with Anthony Zuzzo, the Big Y Store Director, who told us some of the repeat items they often see placed in shoppers’ carts, “right now it’s all party stuff they’re looking for store made cheese platers, vegetable platters, anything that’s quick and easy for get on their tables.”

But Zuzzo said his tables are all set to go, “my shopping is done I’ve learned working in this business, you got to get it done early.”

He also said the popular ticket item changes every year, “whatever the new trend is, anything holidays related, the specialty item that comes out. whatever is on Tik Tok, different things, that’d what people are looking for.”

Whether you were doing last minute grocery shopping for your grandma’s famous recipe, or grabbing your in laws last minute gift, you weren’t alone.

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