Hardware stores were busy Wednesday as people prepared for an incoming winter storm.

The owner of True Value in Mountain City said most people tend to wait until the last minute, when they get off work or after the forecast gets more sever, to buy and stock up on winter storm items.

The store expects to sell a lot of kerosene heaters, chainsaws for downed trees, ice melting salt and shovels.

The owner said he is welcoming the winter weather to help sales since we've had such a mild season. "We have a tremendous supply of snow shovels and sleds because we carried them over from last year," said Carl Michael, True Value of Mountain City owner.

The store also has plenty of snow blowers left over from last winter.