Jason Zaiderman, owner of Eddie’s Liquors in Charles Village, said he’s seen a spike in business since Friday. He said a lot of customers were stocking up on red wine because it doesn’t need to be refrigerated like beer and white wine.

“Business has been strong because of the hurricane there’s no doubt about that,” Zaiderman.

As the first rain began to fall from Hurricane Irene on Saturday afternoon, North Baltimore residents were making last-ditch trips to pick up the most necessary items for any emergency—food and, for some, booze.

Joe Buchheit, 21, a Johns Hopkins University student who lives in Charles Village was at Eddie’s checking out the store’s beer selection.

Buchheit joked that he was stocking up on three major supplies “beer, food and board games.”  He said the board games were important because they don't require batteries.

At the Giant in the Rotunda, residents crowded the aisles and employees were stationed at nearly every checkout station.

Al Spoler, of Roland Park, popped in to make some last minute grocery purchases and lamented not being able to find D cell batteries anywhere. 

Spoler, 60, said that earlier in the day his family had filled a pot of water and labeled it emergency water and then stocked up on important supplies.

“We have lots of wine and firewood. I think we’re taking a romantic approach to this weekend,” Spoler said. 

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