Local food stores shift to curbside pickup & deliveries only, ordering info here

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The Grand Marais grocery stores, Gene’s IGA, Johnson’s Foods and the Cook County Whole Foods Cooperative, have been working diligently to provide services to the community while keeping their employees safe during this crisis. Through collaborative conversations, the stores have made the decision to provide only curbside pick-up and deliveries starting Wednesday, March 25.

What this means for community members: You can call or email your orders to each store, they will pack your orders and schedule a time for curbside pickup or delivery. There will be limited delivery dates for each store as well, for community members who are unable to get to the store to pick up their order. It is important that community members remain patient with the stores during this process. All stores will be accepting payment in the form of credit/debit cards, WIC and SNAP benefits. Johnson’s and Gene’s will accept payment by check as well.

What this means for grocery stores and their staff members: The stores will be working hard to get your orders filled and ready as quickly as possible. Their employees will be able to maintain a safe distance from large numbers of people during the social distancing effort.

The stores are looking for community volunteers to help with this endeavor, as there will be a large volume of orders to fill each day. If you are willing to volunteer your time to help stores take orders, pack groceries, do curbside pickup duties or make deliveries in the county, please sign up online at mnresponds.org.

Present dates planned for delivery, pending volunteers and staff available:

Johnson’s Foods: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Gene’s IGA: Wednesday and Saturday
Cook County Whole Foods Cooperative: Tuesday and Friday

How to place orders:
Johnson’s Foods: by phone at 218-387-2480 and 218-387-2819; by email at [email protected]

Gene’s IGA: by phone at 218-387-1212; by email at [email protected]

Cook County Whole Foods Cooperative: by phone 218-387-2503; by email at [email protected]

More information on the local co-op can be found on their website, here. 

More information on Johnson's Foods food here.

Northern Wilds has compiled a list of other grocery store options on the North Shore: 

Clearview General Store: Clearview General Store in Lutsen is still open to the public, providing groceries and gasoline. Curbside pickup is also available. Hours are 7 a.m.-8 a.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sundays. 218-663-7478

Lockport Marketplace: Lockport in Lutsen is open to the public every day for groceries, gas, baked goods and coffee. Curbside pickup is also available. Hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. The grill is also open, but for take-out only. Hours are 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday through Monday for breakfast/lunch. Pasties are available and can be purchased anytime during active store hours. Call for curbside service or grill orders. 218-663-7548

Tofte General Store & Bottle Shop: The Tofte General Store remains open to the public. Curbside pickup is also available if preferred. Hours are 8 a.m.- 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m-6 p.m. on Sunday. The liquor store hours are the same, with the exception of Sunday: open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 218-663-7288

Trail Center: Gunflint Trail’s Trail Center has many grocery items available, including meats. The store and restaurant are closed to the public, but you can call ahead to place an order. Credit card info will be taken over the phone to limit contact (no walk up and no cash). No one may enter the building; window service only (no bathroom). Home deliveries can be arranged, if needed. 218-388-2214

Zup’s Food Market: Zup’s grocery store in Silver Bay remains open to the public. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m-7 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 218-226-4161

WTIP's Joe Friedrichs spoke with Cook County Whole Foods Co-Op General Manager Jennifer Stoltz on Wednesday to find out how the Co-Op is adjusting.  Listen to that interview below.

Please note: County staff from Cook County did not play a role in this change of operations to the local grocery stores.