A line wrapped around the inside of Bernat’s Market and Deli in Chicopee on Friday as families prepare for the holiday weekend.
The deli prepares for the Easter rush two weeks in advance. They even hire a police officer to direct traffic outside the store to keep parking problems to a minimum.
Many people told 22News that it’s a tradition to go to the family owned business on Meadow Street as they pick up their Easter kielbasa and other favorites.
“This is the place where you get your best products,” Dianne Theroux said. “Their Easter kielbasas are fabulous and everything is nicely made and prepared for you so, you know, you’re going to take home something nice for your table.”
“I like to see some of the traditional things like the dried mushrooms because my mother used to do that,” Westfield resident Med Stopa told 22News. “My father used to pick mushrooms and they have them here.”
The deli said they usually see more than 2,000 customers over Easter weekend and make about a thousand pierogies from scratch.
Bernat’s will be open until 3 p.m. Saturday for any last minute shoppers.
