Generators in high demand after Sandy

EAST HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- We are still weeks away from the official start to the holiday shopping season, but that depends on who you talk to and what they are looking for.

Wednesday morning, one East Haven store opened up its doors with the announcement they have flashlights, lanterns, batteries and generators.

To understand Panfilo Michaelangelo's mission, one must first respect his passion, which is either growing or proudly and colorfully displayed around different areas of his home.

"I got everything there, I got string beans, peas, corn," said Panfilo.

So the journey to East Haven's Home Depot was not focused on flashlights, batteries, or gas cans.

It was about juice, electricity, power. To get this, all he needed was good timing and permission.

"How's that," asked News 8's Jamie Muro.

"It ain't going anywhere," Panfilo replied.

He said, 'Should I buy one?"' And I said, 'go right ahead,'" said Raffaela Michaelangelo.

He asked for your permission first," asked Muro.

"Yeah, he did! He was nice, he asked me," Raffaela replied.

With an estimated half a million people without power, and generators an item as precious as gold, Panfilo is one of the lucky ones to be driving home with hope to save months of work.

"Well, because of the freeze, the stuff we have in the freezer, I don't want to lose them," he said. "A lot of money, lot of stuff from the garden in there."

News 8 couldn't let Panfilo fail in his quest to save home-grown produce, so we pitched in as well. As it turns out his nephew Anthony Gentile has experience with this sort of thing. It was the second time he was working with a generator Wednesday. He bought the same one for his father earlier in the morning.

"I walked into Home Depot, there's the girl standing right in the door, sold," Gentile said. "It didn't take long to make a decision."

"Yeah, they still have them over there, it's good, I appreciate it," said Panfilo.

"I saw him on the street, said Home Depot has generators, he says I'm going there," said Gentile.

With vegetables and a passion now saved, Panfilo's mission is over.

"Funny what hunger will do to ya," Panfilo said laughing.

Gentile's however is just beginning, and his target is simple.

"Home Depot," he said.

"Why," asked Muro.

"I bought one already, I'm going to get another," Gentile said. "I'm out of power at my house. It's a good opportunity, I'm going to jump on it."