Small Fort Worth grocer offers comfort items ahead of winter storm – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Temperatures remain low and grocery store sales are high.

“Everybody is gearing up and hunkering down,” Lauren Klipfel, store operator at Roy Pope Grocersaid.

Roy Pope first opened its doors in the Camp Bowie area in the 1940s. Today, they offer shoppers local gourmet goods.

“The number one seller is probably our homemade potpies. We have a brisket and a whole chicken pot pie,” Klipfel said. “We also sell a lot of cinnamon rolls, lasagna, King Ranch casserole. But our delicacy is, you know, going all day long with hot sandwiches, homemade smoked tenderloin chili.”

Images of empty shelves at major grocers have circulated on social media as North Texans wait out the first winter storm of the season.

Bill Mulder said he avoids the larger stores today.

“Well, there’s no parking,” Mulder said.

While it was just as busy, vendors searched through Roy Pope Wednesday morning to fill the shelves with fresh produce from Stones Throw Farm, wine and a variety of essentials.

“We kind of did early orders and got a lot of bread, eggs, water, all the necessities that everybody’s looking for,” Klipfel said. “We have many people calling to make sure we have goods in stock. Everyone comes in and buys a few bags and walks out the door as sales are increasing.”

Mulder said he is finishing up his shopping ahead of Thursday afternoon’s potential snowfall.

“Grapes, meat, sandwiches,” Mulder said. “Roy Pope always has what I want and a lot of what I don’t come for but end up buying.”

While customers said they are optimistic about road conditions, they also want to be able to enjoy their favorite foods from the comfort of their homes.

“I don’t think the storm will be that bad, so I’m not really alarmed,” Stuart Isgur said.

“We’ve seen ice cream, wine sales, all the things people want as they prepare to stay home for a few days,” Klipfel said.

Yes. You read that right. Shoppers are opting for frozen desserts to weather the storm.

“You have to eat ice cream on the first snow day of the year,” said Charlie Jentry. Jentry owns TruJoy Yogurt, a frozen Greek yogurt brand made in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Jentry said eating ice cream on the first snow of the season is a good luck tradition.

“There’s only one way to find out. So try it and you’ll probably get lucky,” Jentry said. “But don’t hold me to it.”

And while they expect snow and some roadway delays, Klipfel said her team is ready to continue serving their customers during regular business hours.

“We’ve talked about who lives close enough to safely get there tomorrow,” Klipfel said. “What’s great about Roy Pope, not only are we grocery, but we have the deli, coffee and wine bar, so we have indoor seating. We serve hot drinks, wine, everything all day. So it’s going to be a nice place to be to talk to neighbors and just spend the day together.”