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Austin-area grocery stores see hundreds line up around the block
Lines at the Seaholm Trader Joe's filed past nearby buildings.
People are flocking by the hundreds to newly-opened grocery stores around the city after stores limited their hours due to the winter storm.
H-E-B, which adjusted its hours noon-5 p.m. on Tuesday, among other grocery stores saw lines out the doors at most locations. On its website, H-E-B said store hours are subject to change at any time.
Check out the line at HEB Hancock Center, kinda crazy if you ask me #HEB#AustinTXpic.twitter.com/Mas8LSy1J8
— 𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐋 𝐑𝐀𝐘 💫 (@angelfknray) February 16, 2021
People are lining up in the below-freezing temperatures to stock up on food, firewood and other goods with Austin Energy reporting residents may well be without power through Tuesday night, or later.
Hundreds of people in line at the grocery store right now in south Austin @HEBpic.twitter.com/0fnDAfnfDS
— Alex Pritchett (@alexpritchett) February 16, 2021
Later into the day, lines and waits became significantly shorter. At Central Market on 4001 N. Lamar Blvd., around 3 p.m. there were 105 people in line and wait times to get in the store were down to just 15-20 minutes.
Chris Turner and Natasha Szuja had been without power for several hours when they decided to walk to the store to avoid driving on slippery roads. They only waited in line for 15 minutes. The pair said they used up all their food the day before since they hadn't been able to prepare for the outage.
"We're a little chilly—we weren't planning on losing power," Szuja said. "We're just a little nervous about how much longer this is going to go on."
However, those who got to grocery stores later after opening are likely to get a much worse selection of goods with shelves emptying quickly, harkening back to almost a year ago at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Waited an hour in line to get into the grocery store and this lovely sight greeted me...no fruit or vegetables at all. They did have beer, some meat, cheese and cookies, so it's all good. pic.twitter.com/S1L4jNsN1H
— JD Speer (@jdspeer) February 16, 2021
Most grocery stores have not set their hours for the week due to uncertain weather. Updates on H-E-B store hours can be found here.
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Tito's Handmade Vodka
Show your love for Tito's and for the community this year with a wide selection of not that ugly, uglyish, ugly, uglier, and ugliest holiday sweaters.
There's lots choose from, and plenty of accessories like scarves and socks, plus gear for your dog, too.
All of the items can be purchased online or at the Love, Tito’s Retail Store in Austin, TX. 100% of all net proceeds from online or in-store purchases go to one of the nonprofits we’ve teamed up with.
Click here to see the entire collection in the Tito's store.
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Check out this highly anticipated art exhibition with illuminated art along Waller Creek. Tickets are free and the event includes food vendors, dazzling lights, live music, and hands-on activities
All weekend 6 p.m - 10 p.m | 📍Waterloo Park
This iconic holiday tradition lights up for the first time this holiday season starting this weekend! Reserve your spot for an enchanting light and sound performance, delicious hot cocoa, sweet treats, and some overall fun with your friends or family. The show runs till January 6th.
6 p.m and 9 p.m | 📍Mozart's Coffee Roasters - 3825 Lake Austin Blvd, Austin, TX 78703
🗓 Saturday
This fitness event is free and open to the public. Get your morning started right with a "Fitness in the park" class for kickboxing! The class will be led by certified instructors and is a great way to get a cardio workout in while also honing your self-defense skills.
10 a.m - 11 a.m | 📍 Metz Park
Support local LBGTQ+ and female artists at this outdoor market with over 150 vendors. Get your holiday shopping out of the way at this event, with vendors for food trucks, handmade goods, raffles, hands on workshops and activities, and more.
Did someone say cheese?! If you're like me and always willing to get your hands on a bowl of mac and cheese, then this event is for you. Check out the Mac and Cheese festival happening this weekend to decide which vendor has. the best mac and cheese for yourself, and enjoy the bar with creative cocktails while you're at it. Tickets start at $45.
11 a.m - 3 p.m | 📍Lantana Place - 7415 Southwest Parkway
