Local News

Everything is frozen – and ice melt is nowhere to be found

Stores across the region are reporting difficulty in keeping ice melt in stock.

A sidewalk on David G Sugar Way Boston sealed in ice with no treatment was a hazardous spot for walking. David L Ryan, Globe Staff

By Beth Treffeisen

February 18, 2025

2 minutes to read

Phones have been ringing off the hook at local hardware stores, all from people asking the same question: Do you have any ice melt?

This month, Beacon Hill, said keeping ice melt in stock has been brutal this winter.

“I just got back with a truck of ice melt from New Hampshire,” Gurnon told Boston.com on Tuesday afternoon. “We had to go out of state.”

Gurnon has had to compete with hardware stores across the region to get ahold of the stuff and is now making additional trips to keep up with the demand.

Every call he received to the store seemed to be from people asking if they had ice melt in stock, he said. He had to start limiting customers to two bags to keep it in stock.

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It is a massive turnaround from last winter, when he had some ice melt left over at the end of the season. This year’s particularly cold weather has made the Beacon Hill cobblestone dangerous.

“I love New Englanders,” said Gurnon. “Every year — what did you do with the shovel from last year? Didn’t you buy ice melt last season? No, they wait until it’s crappy out.”

In Cambridge is having difficulties keeping even the alternatives, such as oil dry and kitty litter, in stock.

According to Leeann Spataro, the hardware store’s assistant manager, the store has also sold out of ice picks. Some people have even bought floor scrappers to help chop up the ice.

“I think everyone is at their wit’s end,” said Spataro.