"The first snowfall...is always the worst:" Salt, shovels flying off the shelves ahead of Friday night's storm

MILWAUKEE -- People are making a final run for salt, shovels or repairs Friday night, November 20th ahead of southeast Wisconsin's first significant snowfall. The businesses that provide those services are getting ready for what could be a long night.

Rush hour traffic at College Avenue is running fine but once the snow arrives, you'll see another type of vehicle on I-94.

"We sell the trucks, we sell the cranes," said Sara Schaff, Giuffre Bros Parts Department.

It's not the main source of business for Giuffre Bros, but when winter weather is on the way, these guys know there's a market for snow plows.

"It's been pretty solid all day with people coming in for parts," said Schaff.

While many drivers will work to keep roads clear, Tim Wild at MT Towing says, he's preparing for a long night.

"The first snowfall of the season is always the worst. People throughout the summer forget how to drive and even with towing companies, you try to make sure everything is prepared to get on with the first snowstorm of the year but you might have overlooked something," said Wild.

Workers at Martens Reliable True Value on the city's northwest side, say they've got anyone covered should they overlook something for their sidewalk or driveway.

"In the nine years I've been here, we've never run out of salt," said Gene Precourt, works at Martens Reliable True Value.

While salt won't be a problem, Precourt says waiting until now to see if your snowblower works is not the best idea.

Whether it's a hardware store, towing business, or crane dealer, snow-related services are about to become their bread and butter.

Some of the staff at Giuffre Bros Parts Department is on standby. While they're normally closed on weekends, they'll have people in on Saturday, if there's enough snow.

As we know, Mother Nature doesn't care what day it is.