PHOTOS: Customers Flood Stop & Shop Stores

A Stop & Shop spokeswoman said Malden's stores were too busy for press photographs Thursday, but that didn't stop several Malden Patch readers from taking care of business themselves.

Customers flocked to social media yesterday to marvel at the long lines, empty shelves and bizarre purchases of their fellow residents, all while committing acts of guerilla photography for Malden Patch (thanks, by the way!).

Reader Marco Corrado said his friend couldn't find parking in the Charles Street store's expansive lot. Trying the Applebee's next door didn't help either. 
"They almost had to park in the bowling alley," he said. 

"I went around 12:30 and it was horrible," Amie Perault reported. "My fault for waiting until today to get it done...Good luck to anyone going." 

"Thank God I grabbed the one cart I did see outside (because) there wasn't a cart to be found," Toni Casarano said. 

Erin Bellofatto said she was at the store from 4 to 6 p.m. - half of which was spent waiting in line. 

Others had better luck. 

"My wife went at 7 a.m. this morning and had no issues," Michael Taylor said. 

Stores should open at 6 a.m. Friday and remain open throughout the day, according to a company spokeswoman. 

Stay tuned to our Storm Central page for more updates about the storm, including any potential closures of local stores.