Both Kroger and Publix grocery stores and local drugstores plan to be open Thursday for customers braving the ice storm to stock up on food and other necessities.

“Store traffic is slow,” Kroger spokesman Glynn Jenkins said Wednesday. “Customers are adhering to warnings to stay off the roads.”

Jenkins said pharmacies were open based on staff availability. Customers are advised to call ahead before venturing out to the store’s pharmacies to make sure they are staffed.

“We are open today (Wednesday) with the exception of a few scattered throughout the metro Atlanta area,” Publix spokeswoman Brenda Jenkins said. “We plan to open tomorrow.”

CVS spokesman Michael DeAngelis said the chain’s goal is to keep its stores open for as long as possible to give customers access to the pharmacy.

“We expect that some locations will not be able to remain open during the storm,” DeAngelis said.

Walgreens spokesman Phil Caruso said the retailer’s stores also were open Wednesday but some planned to close early, between 5 and 6 p.m. As far as Thursday, the spokesman said Walgreens will “play it by ear.”

“We understand that when people need their medication they need their medication,” Caruso said. “We would advise people to use caution and call ahead before leaving the house.”

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