COVID-19 Shopping: The Stores Giving Seniors Their Own Time to Shop During Coronavirus Crisis

With the novel coronavirus spreading throughout Virginia, senior citizens have a higher risk of becoming seriously ill and dying from the virus. In order to help those shoppers, these Virginia grocery stores are creating special hours for seniors to shop. 

Local Grocers and Markets

Richmond Farms and Fresh Market- Richmond, Va. 

Richmond Farms and Fresh Market will allow senior citizens to arrive at 7:30 a.m. There are only 15 people allowed in the market at a time. They’re also working Roch’s Fresh Foods, another local business, to set up home deliveries and online pickups. 

Chain Grocery Stores

Publix 

Publix will host senior shopping hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Their pharmacies will also open early at 7 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

Walmart 

Walmart will be opening an hour earlier and closing three hours later to allow customers access to essentials. The store will be operating  from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. until further notice. 

Target 

Target will be designating an hour for seniors weekly as well as closing at 9 p.m. to clean and restock stores. 

Whole Foods 

Whole Foods will open their doors an hour early for senior customers.  Check your local Whole Foods for specific hours. 

Fresh Market 

Fresh Market will be reserving the hour between 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. for senior and high risk shoppers. 

Dollar General

Dollar General will dedicate its first hour of service to senior customers as well as closing an hour early to allow employees to clean and restock shelves.

Safeway 

Safeway is providing vulnerable shoppers the hours from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. to shop on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

Costco

Starting March 24, Costco will be opening their doors from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday for senior shoppers. 

Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s has announced that starting on March 23, it will create a second line outside the front door for senior customers from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. every day. The store has been keeping customers outside and filters in a few at a time, to prevent crowds.