Winter storm 2008: Head for the hills (or the Harris Teeter)!

Charlotteans are famous for their winter weather meltdowns. As soon as the word gets out that we may get a flurry of snow, the schools close, and the grocery stores become madhouses. What is everyone buying? Do they know the snow will melt by the following morning? Do they know we live in the South? Legend has it that when bad weather is near, Charlotte scrambles for bread and milk; is there any truth to the myth?

Seven Harris Teeters throughout Charlotte were contacted in regards to the winter shopping extravaganza. All seven said they were extremely busy on the evening of Jan. 16 and 100 percent of them said their most purchased products were — wait for it — bread and milk.

Bread and milk seem peculiar choices for a “winter storm.” Why would a storm survivor choose to buy food and drink that wouldn’t last through power outages or stand the test of time? In only a few days bread and milk will go bad, and much quicker if power was lost. Why not buy non-perishables like water and canned goods? How will we survive Charlotte’s “winter storms” on bread and milk?

Bread and Milk myth: CONFIRMED

Amount of sense Charlotteans make: NONE

This article appears in Jan 16-22, 2008.