Audio by Theresa Gaffney, Photos by Katie Herchenroeder

At Trader Joe’s, pasta, frozen vegetables and famous Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels were scarce during the lunch rush on Friday, March 13, as lines to get into the stores went down the block in Lower Manhattan. While TJ’s is always a hit in the afternoon, coronavirus fears have made the stores packed, with employees staggering shoppers at the door. Some customers said that they were just there to pick up their normal shopping haul and were met with the crowd; others expected a packed environment and didn’t want to be too late with too little. All week, New Yorkers have been filling their economy-sized pantries following continual updates from governmental officials. 

Below, you can experience a not-so-typical Friday at TJ’s in the city. 

The lines didn’t stop outside the store at Trader Joe’s; customers waited in a long, snaking check-out line once they had done their shopping. Friday, March 13, 2020 / Katie Herchenroeder
Customers filled their line time with books, tunes, phone calls, and and chats with their fellow shoppers. One woman, caught up on her reading til the very last moment that she was ushered into the Union Square location. Friday, March 13, 2020 / Katie Herchenroeder
“I am trusting God to take care of my needs day by day.  And especially in light of this virus thing, I’m testing my own faith.” – Elle. Friday, March 13, 2020 / Katie Herchenroeder
Frozen butter chicken wasn’t the only item selling out.  Shoppers stocked up on fresh produce to cook at home. Friday, March 13, 2020 / Katie Herchenroeder
Trader Joe’s is known for their quirky names and their speedy checkout lines. Cashiers hold up swimming oars with numbers on them as another employee directs the customer to the correct register. During the days of the coronavirus, this organized process has allowed them to get customers in and out as fast as possible. Friday, March 13, 2020 / Katie Herchenroeder
While some customers expressed anxiety or even panic about the virus, others felt as if it was just another day as a New Yorker.  Friday, March 13, 2020 / Katie Herchenroeder
Frozen foods were almost out of stock in Lower Manhattan as shoppers filled their freezers in preparation for “social distancing,” or, staying at home and away from large gatherings, in order to slow the spread of the virus. Friday, March 13, 2020 / Katie Herchenroeder
While some customers were preparing for quarantine, others were caught in the craziness as they did their regular shopping.  “I have a family at home that needs to eat and I was traveling all week, and have to do some grocery shopping,” said one shopper. Friday, March 13, 2020 / Katie Herchenroeder
“I never wait on line because I’m semi-retired, but this time I’m waiting.  I’m hoping they have something left in the store.” – Ruby. Friday, March 13, 2020 / Katie Herchenroeder
The Trader Joe’s in Union Square serves thousands of people a day during the lunch hour. Friday, however, was different. Customers waited outside the store to stock up on groceries as tension around the coronavirus grows throughout the city. Friday, March 13, 2020 / Katie Herchenroeder
Inside the 21st street location, lines are staggered, as employees try to keep shelves stocked during shopping splurges caused by coronavirus fears. Friday, March 13, 2020 / Katie Herchenroeder
Trader Joe’s has decided to indefinitely suspend their samples to better contain potential spreading of the coronavirus. Samples usually feature their newest products that the company is hoping to hype up. This move hints that more changes could be underway for the grocery, all of which are detailed on their website.  Friday, March 13, 2020 / Katie Herchenroeder