Beginning Thursday, March 19th, all Stop & Shop stores, including Highland Park’s Raritan Avenue store, will open earlier at 6 a.m. and designate the timeframe from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. as reserved for serving those customers who are age 60 and older.
“Now, more than ever, it’s important we come together as a community to support each other during challenging times. Part of that is showing compassion and care for some of our neighbors who are most vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus. According to the CDC, that is members of the population who are age 60 and older,” according to a Stop & Shop statement.
To support this group, Stop & Shop decided to offer this arrangement every day of the week to allow for community members in this age category to shop in a less crowded environment, which better enables social distancing. They’ll also be shopping prior to any other customers entering.
People ages 60 and older will use a designated entrance, which will be marked at their local store, from 6:00a.m.-7:30a.m. Although the store will not be requesting ID for entry, management asks that consumers ask that respect the purpose of the early opening – and do the right thing for the community. Store associates have the right to ask customers to leave if they are not a member of this age group.
As previously announced, most stores have adjusted their hours to 7:30a.m. to 8:00p.m. to enable our associates to spend more time unloading deliveries, stocking shelves – and to take some time for rest. Please note that the stores receive deliveries throughout the day, so the shelves will be replenished for shoppers at all hours. Also, the store has implemented added cleaning and sanitation efforts, which will continue throughout the day.
Home delivery service will remain available to all customers as well. “If you have a grandparent, parent, friend, or neighbor in this age group, remember you can place an order on their behalf with our new “Contact-Free” delivery option. With this service, we’ll notify you by text or email when the driver arrives, and they will simply leave the bags on the doorstep or building entry and return to their vehicle. We recognize there may be some delays with this service due to unprecedented demand, and we are continuing to work hard to meet your needs,” said Gordon Reid, president, The Stop & Shop Supermarket Co..
According to Rebecca Hersh, the executive director of Main Street Highland Park, “most businesses are now closed, except for online-only or takeout-only services. Please consider patronizing our local businesses in whatever way possible, including by purchasing gift certificates or ordering takeout. You can use the gift certificates in the future.
See our link below for measures that HP businesses are taking to keep you safe!”
CLICK HERE FOR SAFETY NOTICES FROM HIGHLAND PARK BUSINESSES to see what measures they’re taking to ensure your safety, and to make shopping & dining as easy and safe as possible.