Local businesses gear up for Easter

JACKSON, Tenn. — While many families celebrate their holiday weekend with a big, home-cooked Easter meal, for those who don’t want to spend all weekend in the kitchen, many local businesses are stepping in — and that means a boost for their bottom lines.

Employees are hopping this Good Friday as the rush for Easter lunch is less than 48 hours away.

“At the end of the week it builds and builds, it gets crazier, and tomorrow we will be here around the clock,” Heavenly Ham Manager Aaron Kirk said. “Hams. Everybody wants an Easter ham.”

The beloved local ham shop said they have already sold more hams than last year and are still working through some of their busiest days of the year.

“This is about the third busiest holiday,” Kirk said.

L&T Cakery says they also have seen a rise in business.

“We have several people coming in, specifically for the cupcakes and the cookies for the kids but also dessert cakes for their Sunday lunches,” part owner Lori Walker said.

Many local businesses like Heavenly Ham say they have seen an increase in pre-Easter sales because their customers like to spend more time with the family than in the kitchen.

“You don’t have to stay all cooped up in the kitchen all weekend long, and definitely we are seeing way more than we did last year,” Kirk said.

Heavenly Ham said they are also offering side dishes as well as ready-to-eat hams to help with preparation.

The cakery is ready to help people topping off their Sunday feast.

“We usually have several specialty cupcakes and several cookies out on display. We usually always offer what we consider a dessert cake in an Easter theme — bright colors, spring, that sort of thing,” Walker said.

If you’re a little behind on your Sunday lunch prep, many businesses are still open Saturday in case you need to pick up something for your big dinner.