New hours: Open daily 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
— from Jacob Linnes, Orcas Island Market —
Dear Orcas Community,
Normally our goal is to get as many customers as possible in our store, but as we navigate through uncharted waters, we are asking our community to help us keep our employees safe and healthy by following our recommendations below. This will help keep us open and able to support our amazing community through this challenging time.
- If you, or someone you have been in contact with, are sick or have a fever please do not come in the store. If you need supplies or help go to orcas.recovers.org and look for available options.
- Normally we are a social hub on the island (we will be again soon) but now more than ever we are asking you to shop alone, efficiently, and only when necessary. Try to limit your time in the store.
- Partner with neighbors to get supplies from town and limit trips. If you are shopping for more than your family let us know and we will lift “limits on key items.”
- Try to avoid paying with cash, coin or check if you can. Mobile payments (Apple or Google Pay) are best and then credit and debit.
- If you are at risk, or have health issues, please try to avoid coming in the store. Utilize friends and neighbors to help pickup items you need. Also, the OICF is coordinating efforts to help people at risk or in need. Check out orcas.recovers.org for more info.
- Lastly, please do not bring reusable bags into the store (sad face). We hate this one but the immediate need for health and safety outweigh alternatives (we will waive the $0.25 charge during this time).
P.S. We have opened a direct link to the “Orcas Island Emergency Fund” through our registers so customers can donate directly to the OICF fund.
I’m very relieved to see these guidelines – along with thoughtful alternatives for people in special situations. Thank you!
Wondering if it would be possible to have a time set aside for people over 70 to shop? I noticed this is an option at off island markets….. just a thought
thank you so much for the information. i’m relieved to see that you will be using paper bags again for this “mitigation.” that will help tremendously.
what about those of us without mobile phones to pay? if cash or check are not options, what do we do? can we still use our EBT food and cash cards?
Unfortunately, neither the patrons nor staff has been exhibiting proper physical distancing (in our last 2 visits in the last 7 days). Patrons should never be closer than 6 feet to each other. Staff should clear away from patrons and from merchandise when a patron approaches, and staff should disinfect pinpads, check-writing ledges, and workstations between every transaction. There should be a ‘special hour’ or two for the most vulnerable and high-risk populations to shop in a calm space, without being rushed, and there should be some kind of throttling mechanism to prevent from too-many people being in the store at the same time.
We have a positive case now on Orcas; there can be no excuse for not adopting maximum measures to get AHEAD of the situation.
Please watch this: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/world-economic-forum_coronavirus-covid19-activity-6645649864648605696-2g_n
Respectfully,
M. Fikse
Orcas Island
Great work Island Market! Can I place a phone order, pay over the phone and pick up, drive through-have someone just put it in my trunk? I would disinfect things at home I guess. Island Hardware did this with me yesterday and I so appreciated it.
Payments
We will still be taking all types of payments we always have. We just added a preference to the “low touch” options.
Senior shopping
After a lot of consideration and communication with outside sources we decided to not do a special time and to encourage at risk people to have a friend, neighbor, or one of our local resources assist.
Deliver/curbside
We are not able at this time to support this but we are working on solutions to reduce the traffic in store while getting groceries.
Follow our Facebook and website over the next few days to get updates.
Thank you Jacob for the update and information – great to hear. And thank you to the market for supporting the Island!
I am wondering if you could put up a temporary plastic shield between your employees and your customers (like some banks have). This could really reduce the chances of infecting one another .