Last updated on April 2nd, 2020
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect the lives of people around the world, grocers across the United States are providing information to keep their customers informed and some are changing their operating hours.
In the Midwest, Cub, Hy-Vee and Fareway grocery stores have made changes to their operations due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Cub announced March 17 that 13 stores throughout the Twin Cities metro and greater Minnesota areas will continue to operate for 24 hours a day. Cub also announced select pharmacy locations will expand their service hours.
The stores not listed in this announcement will temporarily reduce operating hours to 6 a.m.-10 p.m. until further notice. The new hours will take effect on Wednesday, March 18, at 10 p.m.
The following 13 Cub locations in Minnesota will remain open 24 hours to offer customers the opportunity to shop at their convenience:
- Blaine North, located at 12595 Central Avenue NE, Blaine;
- Chanhassen, located at 7900 Market Blvd, Chanhassen;
- Coon Rapids North, located at 12900 Riverdale Drive NW, Coon Rapids;
- Duluth, located at 615 W Central Entrance, Duluth;
- Eagan West, located at 1940 Cliff Lake Road, Eagan;
- Fridley, located at 250 57th Avenue NE, Fridley;
- Lakeville South, located at 20250 Heritage Drive, Lakeville;
- Mankato West, located at 1200 S Riverfront Drive, Mankato;
- Maple Grove, located at 8150 Wedgewood Lane N, Maple Grove;
- Midway, located at 1440 University Avenue W, St Paul;
- Rochester, located at 1021 15th Avenue SE, Rochester;
- Stillwater, located at 1801 Market Drive, Stillwater; and
- Uptown, located at 1104 Lagoon Avenue, Minneapolis.
“Cub is focused on remaining open as many hours as possible to meet the needs of our communities while allowing us time to restock and condition the store,” said Mike Stigers, CEO. “There is ample food supply to meet the normal needs of all Minnesotans and deliveries are happening at stores throughout each day containing fresh and non-perishable grocery products to restock shelves. Our associates continue to work hard and embrace their role as a critical provider of essential food and grocery items for their neighborhoods. I am extremely proud of their ongoing efforts and support during this time.”
Cub pharmacies at Blaine North, Maple Grove, Midway and Stillwater locations will expand their hours to 7 a.m.-10 p.m. beginning Thursday, March 19. The remaining Cub Pharmacies will continue operating under their normal hours.
Cub is reserving the first hour of each day from 6-7 a.m. to allow elderly and other high-risk populations, along with healthcare workers and first responders, time to shop and provide for their well-being.
Based in Stillwater, Minnesota, Cub was established in 1968 as one of the nation’s first discount grocery stores. The organization, which is owned by parent company UNFI, operates 79 grocery stores in Minnesota and Illinois, each of which offers a wide selection of fresh products and great values throughout the store to meet consumer’s everyday grocery needs.
Hy-Vee announces temporary store changes to address pandemic
Due to evolving concerns regarding the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, Hy-Vee Inc. is adapting the ways in which it serves customers to ensure they receive the products they need while keeping customers, employees and communities healthy and safe.
The following changes are being made:
- Store hours: Starting Wednesday, March 18, Hy-Vee stores will close at 8 p.m. Until further notice, Hy-Vee’s new store hours will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. These shortened hours will allow employees additional time to clean and sanitize all areas of the store, as well as restock the items in highest demand. Operating with shorter hours also will allow employees additional time to care for their families and loved ones.
- Convenience stores: All Hy-Vee convenience stores will continue to operate under their normal hours at this time. Customers can continue to purchase snacks, fuel and other items at these locations.
- Dining areas: All dining areas in all Hy-Vee stores, restaurants and convenience stores are now closed to the public. Food service areas will still operate during their normal hours, offering freshly prepared meal options for carry-out only. Also, all bars inside Hy-Vee Market Grille locations have been closed until further notice.
- Hy-Vee Aisles Online: For Hy-Vee Aisles Online customers, deliveries now will be made by third-party partners like Shipt and Door Dash (where available) in order to help in-store employees focus on pickup orders and other needs at the stores. Hy-Vee Aisles Online customers may find that their preferred delivery or pickup time isn’t available at the moment due to increased demand. During this very unusual time, Hy-Vee is asking customers who are able to do so to shop in stores so that the available Hy-Vee Aisles Online timeslots can be used for those who are unable to shop for themselves or have been advised by health care professionals to limit their public exposure.
- Corporate ad: For the time being, Hy-Vee is suspending its weekly corporate advertising circular that is distributed to all stores and found in many local newspapers. Due to the current high demand for many products, suppliers are unable to guarantee the fulfillment of certain products. This makes it difficult to determine in advance which products can be advertised in print publications. Customers still may have received this week’s ad circular as it was already inserted into the newspaper. Stores will honor the products featured if they are in stock. Customers are also encouraged to check Hy-Vee’s social media pages and Hy-VeeDeals.com for the company’s latest sales during this time.
“This is an unprecedented situation for all of us. We’ve never dealt with anything like this before, and we know our customers haven’t either. We appreciate their patience and loyalty as we navigate these changing times,” said Randy Edeker, Hy-Vee’s chairman, CEO and president, of the pandemic. “We are committed to doing all we can to keep our customers and employees healthy and safe and to being the helpful smile in every aisle that is needed during this time.”
Fareway adjusts store hours, provides for those most at-risk
Boone, Iowa-based Fareway has activated internal protocols to address the coronavirus pandemic, which include increased sanitation measures, store-cleaning frequency and the availability of hand sanitizer and wipes, among other measures. The company also will adopt new store hours.
Beginning Wednesday, March 18, all Fareway stores and meat markets will be open Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-7 p.m. The early closure will provide for additional cleaning and sanitation measures in the stores, as well as time for restocking inventory. As part of these new hours, the first hour of business, from 8-9 a.m., will be reserved for those customers who are 65 and over, pregnant women, those living with a serious chronic medical condition and anyone with an underlying medical condition that increases the susceptibility to serious illness from Covid-19.
Fareway continues to work closely with state, local and healthcare partners on mitigation and is following appropriate recommendations from these organizations.
Fareway Stores Inc. is a growing Midwest grocery company currently operating 123 stores in a six-state region.
