Last minute shoppers are flocking to stores looking for finishing touches for the Thanksgiving feast

SAN DIEGO – A Thanksgiving feast isn’t complete without a last minute trip to the grocery store.

Many San Diego-area shoppers were making this trip the night before Thanksgiving in an effort to fill their tables with the right mix of side dishes, desserts, and everything in between. But at the Food Bowl Market and Deli in South Park, owner David Halabo said the holiday rush hasn’t been as busy as it was last year.

“We have your vacation product,” Halabo said. “The turkeys, the dressing and the produce. Everything that is needed, we have it. But I just see it as a little less than last year.

A year ago, the pre-Thanksgiving rush left the store without some key items such as butter, nuts and celery as well as turkeys. But despite numerous shortages nationwide linked to supply chain disruptions, the store is sufficiently stocked for this year’s holiday.

On Wednesday afternoon, the store reported that 40 birds were still in stock.

That’s great news for shoppers like Margaret Johnson looking to prepare their Thanksgiving meals. Johnson is preparing a traditional Thanksgiving meal for his family in a process that begins tonight.

“The turkey and the ham and the yams,” Johnson said. “And the macaroni and cheese. I forgot that.

Golden Hill resident Vicki Maffei was grabbing items for her cornbread stuffing.

“I have celery, peppers, sausage, strawberries and cornbread,” Maffei said.

The Food Bowl Market and Deli is open on Thanksgiving Day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.