Procedures changing at some grocery stores

The procedure for shopping at North Shore grocery stores varies from business to business. All three grocery stores in Grand Marais offered only curbside pickup shopping starting on Wednesday, March 25. However, that is beginning to change.

Gene’s Foods in Grand Marais has opened its doors to shoppers, asking that customers comply with CDC recommendations in the store. Gene’s asks that shoppers wear masks and limit their visits to one person per household. Hand sanitizer stations are available in the store and there are direction markers to ensure that customers follow proper physical distance guidelines.

Gene’s Foods will still provide curbside pickup for customers who are concerned about being in the public. To arrange an order for pick-up or for more information, contact Gene’s Foods by phone at 218-387-1212 or by email at [email protected].

The Cook County Whole Foods Co-op is still closed to in-person shopping and offering curbside pickup, but they are working on their plan for re-opening the doors. Co-op Manager Jennifer Stoltz told WTIP that the co-op will close on Thursday, May 28 to finalize changes to the store to allow proper physical distances for employees and customers. The co-op will reopen on Friday, May 29, with in-store shopping hours from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.  

The co-op will also still offer curbside pickup for customers who are uncomfortable entering the store. For information on placing orders or for more information, contact the co-op by phone 218-387-2503 or by email at [email protected]

Johnson’s Foods in Grand Marais has no plans to re-open for in-store shopping at this time. Store co-owner Robin Johnson said their operations are complicated by the Highway 61 road construction taking place adjacent to the store.

However, for the safety of employees and customers, they also feel that it is best to continue with curbside grocery pickup. To place orders or for more information, contact Johnson’s Foods by phone at 218-387-2480 and through their new website (www.johnsonsfoods.com). The website has an order form to complete and submit. 

Hours for the store are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. 

Other grocery options
Clearview General Store: Clearview General Store in Lutsen is still open to the public, providing groceries and gasoline. Customers are not required to wear masks or gloves to enter the store, but are welcome to do so. Curbside pickup is also available, if customers want to call in orders. Hours are 7 a.m.-8 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and 7 a.m.-7 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 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.  The grill is open from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. for takeout, and pasties are available at any time when the store is open. Curbside pickup is also available. 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. Wearing of masks is welcome. 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. The store and restaurant are closed to the public, but you can call ahead to place a grocery order. Credit card info will be taken over the phone to limit contact (no walk up and preferably no cash). Call ahead to Trail Center. 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. Curbside pickup is available. The wearing of masks is welcome. For more information or curbside pickup, call 218-226-4161