In less than 24 hours, Thanksgiving dinners will be served all across Middle Tennessee, and many people spent the majority of Wednesday getting ready.
The result was one of the busiest days of the year for several businesses including grocery stores, some restaurants, and pizza places.
Long lines of customers formed early at the Kroger in Green Hills and stayed long throughout the day. Employees said they expected the crowds of people picking up items for Thanksgiving dinner.
“It’s very busy,” said Shatika Hill, a Kroger employee. “It’s very busy being the holidays and people are picking up lots of groceries. “
Lines were also long at Jet’s Pizza, and the phones were often ringing off the hook. Employees said the day before Thanksgiving has always been one of their busiest of the year since many customers try to avoid cooking right before the holiday.
"You can never be too prepared, but we like to have extra staff available so we don’t have long wait times,” said Amy Saville, a Jet’s Pizza employee. “We want all deliveries to go out on time.”
Cooking started early Wednesday afternoon at the Nashville Rescue Mission kitchen. Staff members and volunteers started working to make sure everything would be ready for Thanksgiving dinner Thursday. Over the course of two days, as many as 6,000 meals are served at the Rescue Mission.
“There is a lot of joy here,” said Cheryl Davis with the Nashville Rescue Mission. “A lot of volunteers show up, a lot of kids and families come to help. It’s great for our folks here, but I think everyone walks away with something.”
