5 On Your Side

Avoid the 'ham jam' this holiday season; pick up this weekend and save

Honey Baked Madness. The crowds, the lines, the traffic ham jams! The annual crowd at Honey Baked Ham stores is an other holiday tradition imperiled by COVID-19.

Posted Updated

By
Monica Laliberte
, WRAL executive producer/5 on Your Side reporter
RALEIGH, N.C. — Honey Baked madness – the crowds, the lines, the traffic ham jams! The annual crowd at Honey Baked Ham stores is an other holiday tradition imperiled by COVID-19.

"We normally have maybe 50 to 60 people in the lobby, but now I think the most we’re probably going to have is 12 to 15 people," said Roland DesLauriers, manager of the Six Forks Road location in Raleigh.

DesLauriers and his staff are setting up for next week’s rush on ham, turkey, sides, desserts and more, and hoping customers are patient!

Maybe the "be a ham — wait here" and "ham comes to those who wait" floor markings will help.

So will separate lines for prepaid orders, and discounts if you order online and pickup this weekend.

"All of the hams and turkeys that we produce are good for 7-10 days in your refrigerator, so you are able to come in and pick them out earlier and avoid some of the crowd," said DesLauriers.

Because of space, curbside pick up isn’t an option in Raleigh or Cary.

"They will have curbside pickup at our Durham location," he added.

And DesLauriers shared a tip completely unrelated to COVID or crowds. His menu favorite is the pot roast. Yes, the general manager of the Honey Baked Ham store prefers pot roast.

"For me I say the pot roast, but I have my fill of ham whenever I want it," he said.

No matter your menu favorites, to get your fill and avoid the ham jam, order ahead.

Note: Easter was a dry run and the line lasted most of the day.

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