GROCERY SHOPPING: More local changes

Going grocery shopping this weekend? We hope you have a successful trip. (The photo above shows the paper-products aisle of Roxbury Safeway, this past Thursday morning around 8:30 am – the only truly near-empty aisle.) Since we first published a list of local hours back on Wednesday, several stores have changed their hours, and more have added special times reserved for people 60+ and others at elevated risk. (At least one chain also is adding a layer of protection between checkers and shoppers – Safeway‘s putting in Plexiglas.) Anyway, before you shop – check our updated list of locations/hours! And thanks again to everyone who’s tipped us to changes.

45 Replies to "GROCERY SHOPPING: More local changes"

  • MBolo March 21, 2020 (8:38 am)

    I was at Whole Foods yesterday and they also have Plexiglass at each checkstand.

  • MJ March 21, 2020 (9:13 am)

    There is no disruption to the supply chain, this is ludicrous that people are buying stuff unnecessarily.  Take added precautions, space yourself from others and take heart that the vast majority of people who contract the virus beat it and move on with their lives.

  • gxnx March 21, 2020 (10:40 am)

    I love to see pictures of those  who buy loads of  TP and other stuffs that they are hoarding and put them to shame!! 

    • WSB March 21, 2020 (10:49 am)

      Sorry, I have yet in the past three weeks to actually see anyone who appeared to be overbuying. Don’t know how long it took for these shelves to go from stocked to empty.

    • Raven March 21, 2020 (11:04 am)

      Can’t assume everyone is hoarding. My family was just completely out of TP and in a bind. Let’s all just be nice to each other 🤷🏻‍♀️

      • C.A. March 21, 2020 (11:52 am)

        Exactly. We had tp on our list prior to this, and didn’t make it to Costco in time, before shelves had been cleared. My sister managed to locate a couple smaller multi-packs, from Safeway, that should keep us going for the next month. And those with multiple packages in the cart may be doing other family or at-risk neighbors a favor by purchasing for them (vs everyone making their own trips). We can’t assume the worst in people or it festers and makes us angry and cynical. 

        • Susan March 22, 2020 (3:20 am)

          Exactly! That was me, buying for seniors who can not leave their homes/apts. Finally, a reasonable,  compassionate and kind voice. Be well. 

      • Midnitestich March 21, 2020 (6:21 pm)

        I hear ya. I’ve been sick for the past two weeks with an URI and a sinus infection. I needed toilet paper and so did my son’s family. My grandson had an intestinal virus for week and a half and literally wiped their supply out. Had no paper towels either. They couldn’t find any in the stores. I belong to Costco and knew they were out. Thank God I also belong to BJ’s. You can look up items on their website to see what stores have stock. It’s accurate too. When I found out that a store that was 20 min away had toilet paper & paper towels, I immediately left to go there. You bet I came out with 2 pkgs of toilet paper and 2 paper towels. Not all people are hoarders. Some are helping out family members.

    • JVP March 21, 2020 (1:46 pm)

      If you figure that 30%? Of TP use was at work, then some of the shelf-emptying makes sense as supply chains shift.

  • anonyme March 21, 2020 (10:41 am)

    If grocery stores are open it seems like the Farmer’s Markets should be too.  I heard one of the vendors ask the mayor about this on KUOW, but he received a non-answer.  It seems like rather than supplying what I assume to be taxpayer-funded Safeway vouchers we should be supporting our farmer’s markets – or at least be doing both.   If anything, the markets offer better distancing than grocery stores, and crowds are gathering unchecked at many locations in Seattle that are not providing essential services, as the markets do.   Punishing these small independent vendors in favor of corporate grocery stores is punitive and unfair.  I contacted Clean Food Farms about getting their eggs, and they will soon be allowing online ordering with a pickup time window in West Seattle.

    • WSB March 21, 2020 (11:06 am)

      I will be writing about this separately today but the Farmers Market management is asking for people to sign a letter of support
      https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScsemvp7p-Tn17IxYpsTjO8Nw-X2W_3iWn74IsMRr2p6d009w/viewform

      They also have a list of how vendors are getting their food out in the meantime
      https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mGN3tut-E7tTVlKJrU9lBM8Iuku2-MQ5cEyStCcYqi0/edit

      • Richard March 21, 2020 (11:32 am)

        Just signed. Thank you for putting that together.

      • Steph V March 21, 2020 (11:38 am)

        Just signed. Every list that I have seen defining essential services included farmer’s markets. Hopefully they change their tune. 

        • KHenson March 21, 2020 (7:06 pm)

          I do think that you have to take into account people who have changed their shopping habits due to the situation. For example, our family’s practice before this was my husband would decide each day what he wanted to cook for dinner and go to whichever store he felt best to supply what he needed.  Now, as this is not the smart move, we made a menu for the week and tried to buy everything in one trip.  So, we as just one family, went to the stores and bought 7 x as much as we normally would have. 

      • Kersti March 21, 2020 (11:51 am)

        Signed.

        • John March 21, 2020 (12:48 pm)

          I also just signed, but against the opening and explained my reason.I did this because of the  social gathering  impulses that define  farmers markets  differently than grocery stores.Due to their short duration, farmers markets rely on a concentrated  volume of shoppers. Opening farmers markets is definitely not an ‘ahead of the curve’  or even safest action in the current pandemic.Please let’s all support our local businesses, but with the overlay of the unique requirements of the health of the community.

      • West Seattle since 1979 March 21, 2020 (1:47 pm)

        Thanks for providing this.

  • MKS March 21, 2020 (10:56 am)

    Trader Joe’s is only letting 40 people in the store at a time. There were at least 80 people there when it opened this morning, with 40 standing in line just to get in. Limit of two of any product and one cart per person. 

  • Pilsner March 21, 2020 (11:01 am)

    Unfortunately I cant believe that the supply chain is uninterrupted. I rarely see gocery store parking lots above normal capacity. I have also never seen some one over buying. 

    • Elton March 21, 2020 (12:42 pm)

      I think you’re confusing supply and demand. Saying the supply chain is not disrupted means that there are no shortages in the production of the vast majority at things at grocery stores. However, demand is obviously a bit higher since people are probably buying more in a single trip versus going to the grocery store more often and buying less things. And then there are probably a small percentage of people hoarding. Parking lots being full doesn’t mean shelves are empty, just that people are stocking up more than eating out. 

      • Pilsner March 21, 2020 (3:02 pm)

        Well, I was actually thinking of how behind trucking was before this all hit. Trucking has been barely keeping up the last few years.

  • Raven March 21, 2020 (11:02 am)

    Found TOILET PAPER this am at Met Market (limit two giant 6 packs)! We are set now in case Seattle goes into mandatory quarantine.Appreciated the sanitary measures and social distancing they are practicing at the store. Thanks Met Market! Customer for life!

    • Pilsner March 21, 2020 (12:35 pm)

      Bruh, relax. We sill still be allowed to go to the grocery store on a stay at home order. Quit scaring the animals.

  • JES March 21, 2020 (11:31 am)

    There were signs at PCC that they’re wiping down the credit card machines after each customer but I didn’t see it happen one time while I was waiting in line. 

    • KM March 21, 2020 (1:55 pm)

      I’ve seen them wipe down after every transaction on my last 3 visits.

    • LG March 22, 2020 (3:12 am)

      I’ve had them wipe it down before and after me on my last few visits. They do it from where they check. 

  • kg March 21, 2020 (11:34 am)

    Jefferson Square Safeway also has the plexiglass at the checkout stands. Funny thing is I am taller than the plexiglass so if I did have a sudden cough or sneeze it would not help the checkout person. (Notice I stated ‘sudden’ so keep your internet anger at bay that I would dare not mention covering my mouth with my elbow, you know who you are.)I have noticed social distancing in Safeway is happening, at least while I was there.I too haven’t seen anyone hoarding TP.  Would be kind of interesting to see what each and every individuals definition of hoarding is. I imagine the range would be interesting.

  • oakley34 March 21, 2020 (11:35 am)

    Thank you for noting that the aisle pictured was the only truly empty one.  I imagine images like this (nationally, not calling you out WSB) are part of what drives the panic buying.  I’ve only been to the store twice since at least before the 8th, and each time there was plenty of nearly everything except paper/hygiene products.  I’ll be heading out again this week and am a little scared to go to Costco.

    • WSB March 21, 2020 (11:47 am)

      Someone emailed to politely complain about the photo and I did note that while photos like that have been out in other media for what seems like weeks now, this was the first time we ran one … can’t sugarcoat things, that happened to be what we saw when we were at that store at that time. We usually shop at our locally owned indies (Thriftway and PCC are longtime sponsors and our faves so we’ve been there multiple times) but for several reasons we needed to look for something at the Rox store and since we need to minimize trips, both being in elevated-risk groups, that meant maximizing the trip. As for Costco – there are a couple things we get there every six weeks or so. Just so happened we were there the morning of Friday 2/28, hours before the first local COVID-19 case was announced … I hope folks are making space there for those who really need to buy in bulk, like the small restaurateurs … TR

      • songstorm March 21, 2020 (2:58 pm)

        I would love to see the stores with empty TP shelves just put up a sign in the middle of the aisle “Please see Customer Service for toilet paper and other paper goods.”  Keep these items in the back and bring out 1 or 2 (depending on the store’s limit) upon request.  This is what office supply and other stores do for high end electronics, ink cartridges, etc. and it has the psychological boost of not being “out” but rather “tucked safely away.”   Sometimes a little mystery can go a long ways…

      • Diane March 21, 2020 (3:35 pm)

        Trader Joe’s has had a sign up on front door since at least 3/16 (I don’t remember exact wording) requesting people do NOT take videos or photos in their store; and other signs asking folks to only use one shopping basket, and only take 1 of each item; I called a few nights ago; they’ve also suspended holds and do NOT have any designated times for seniors; I asked if they’re doing anything to help seniors shop; just “cleaning a lot”

        • WSB March 21, 2020 (3:36 pm)

          Certainly within their rights as a private business to make the no-photo/video request but there was no such signage where/when we took the pic above.

          • Diane March 21, 2020 (4:02 pm)

            there is so much signage, which tbh I don’t even look at while entering; I saw all the signs while leaving (with 4 of one item, because most food in the store was already gone); I also didn’t see the sign that they were closing at 7 (starting that night) until I was leaving; thankfully I got there about 6, rare for me; I’m usually there just before 9pm closing

    • KN March 21, 2020 (11:56 am)

      Costco was actually the best shopping experience I have had in the last 3 weeks.  I went on Wednesday because it was my first day off from work.  There was about a 10-15 minute wait to get into the store, but they were very well stocked and it was definitely worth the wait.  The employees were all very courteous and they had a very organized system of limiting the number of people in the building at one time.  I appreciated their efforts because it meant fewer trips going from store to store trying to find basic items.

      • Rr March 21, 2020 (8:26 pm)

        I can second this about Costco. I too panicked into going out shopping after seeing many a photo of empty store shelves around the internet. I was expecting the worst but they had a very impressive system set up for crowd control and cart sanitation, very nice abundant staff, full supervision of the tp aisle and lots of food. 

    • Ewing33 March 21, 2020 (1:04 pm)

      Oakley34- Knicks fan?? I am avoiding Costco at all costs right now.

  • me March 21, 2020 (11:44 am)

    Is there any news about when deliveries will start again? 

  • anonyme March 21, 2020 (12:01 pm)

    Please add Clean Food Farms (eggs) to the list.  I just received an email from them with instructions on how to order online for WS pickup.https://www.cleanfoodfarm.com/purchase-eggs/

  • Gina March 21, 2020 (12:20 pm)

    Some folks are shopping to restock the supplies for St Vincent DePaul at Holy Rosary. That little extra may be for sharing with others. Toilet paper, soap and paper towels along with peanut butter are always on the needed list.

  • JG March 21, 2020 (12:30 pm)

    QFC at the Alaska junction is well stocked right now. Limiting one package per customer. Had to fight the urge to pick up another small pack, but I’ll leave it for those who really need it. Still have about 15 rolls for my partner and myself. Please remember to take only what you need. Stay safe neighbors! 

  • Trickycoolj March 21, 2020 (2:28 pm)

    I wish some of the 60+ hours would be after office hours. My mom is 63 and lives alone in Oregon. Her employer deemed her job unable to be done from home so she’s still going to work and can’t take advantage of Fred Meyers special hours since they’re during the work day. She’s trying curbside pickup Monday but it had a 5 day lead time to schedule.  I wish her job wouldn’t have relocated her so far away from home. 

    • AJP March 21, 2020 (5:10 pm)

      Where in Oregon is she? I have friends and family in the Willamette valley, Portland to Albany and a little to the east. If your mom doesn’t have anyone to rely on, I could ask if anyone can grab things for her. 

  • Jackie Crumpler March 21, 2020 (7:32 pm)

    When I was at the Junction QFC today, I was scolded for bringing my own bag, and she wouldn’t let me use it, even bagging myself and not putting it on the counter. FYI.

    • Kailee March 22, 2020 (8:16 am)

      Hi Jackie. Who didn’t let you use your Bags? What does Scolded mean? 

    • C.A. March 22, 2020 (1:26 pm)

      Are they charging for use of their bags then, or temporarily waiving the paper bag fee? I know it’s a nominal amount, but am just curious.

Sorry, comment time is over.