People Are Preparing Like It's Y2K, Rather Than End Of World

WATERFORD (WWJ) - The Internet and some cable TV channels have been rife with predictions of the end of the world on December 21st ... the date when the Mayan calendar runs out.

WWJ's Sandra McNeill reports that's been adding up to some big bucks for one local business.

Jeff Goldsmith owns Joe's Army Navy in Waterford and said his business has been booming with concerns about December 21st.

"It's been constant for us for two years - the people that have really been prepping started years ago. Now we are starting to get to the customers who just 'top of mind' it's time to do something," said Goldsmith.

Goldsmith said freeze-dried food, lights, heat and batteries to survive a possible power outage are tops on the list of some shoppers.

"We sell a lot of food, we sell a lot of ammo cans and storage type products - where people can store things for long periods of time, where it's air tight, and water proof," said Goldsmith.

He said he's not seeing panic, it's more like folks prepared for Y2K, instead of the end of the world.

"A lot of people are coming in for what they call 'go bags' where their concern is something is going to happen and they need a bag with all their gear - three days in my bag - off I go."

"They are coming in because they want to be prepared for at least three days," he said. "Most of the customers don't think the world is going to end on the 21st, they just think that something may happen and they should try to be prepared for it."

Goldsmith said in his opinion everyone should be prepared to be without power for at least three days at any time.