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Market Basket Customers Say Store Closures Impacting Grocery Budgets

TEWKSBURY (CBS) - It's the rallying cry that won't go away.

Market Basket employees continued to stand in front of Market Basket this weekend despite an empty parking lot.

Walking inside, Kelley Sardina knows what she's going to find - prices she likes, but hit or miss on stock.

A prolonged strike by truck drivers and a boycott by customers have left the chain out of produce and meat.

"I have two grown men in the house and they want to eat and buying hot dogs is not cutting it right now," said Sardina.

Sardina is firmly behind the employees who want Arthur T. Demoulas reinstated as CEO but says without the company's low prices, her family is suffering.

"I only have such an allowance for my food you know and I can only stretch it so much," Sardina said.

By contrast- this Hannaford in Tewksbury is hopping. Inside the store, shelves are being restocked just as quickly as they empty. Walmart down the street is running thin in many aisles.

At each place though, the prices are noticeably higher for products like milk.

It's something that has protesters worried in the short term, but willing to sacrifice for long term benefit.

"There are some customers who don't even use money. They rely on food stamps and when they come to Market Basket, they know they're getting their money's worth," said Market Basket employee Marcus Cherenfant.

WBZ reached out to AG Martha Coakley's office about reports of price gouging at other chains. They said they couldn't give us a specific number of complaints this weekend but that any consumers with concerns should call their hotline.

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