A quick trip to the store to pick a few groceries is not what it used to be, during these chaotic times — especially for those vulnerable in our community.
Because of the potential for exposure to other shoppers, the elderly, pregnant women or anyone with a compromised immune system need “their space” when shopping.
To help ease the stress, many grocery stores and other retailers are offering special hours intended just for those populations at high-risk.
Many people have expressed concern over the early hours for most of the seniors-only shopping times. However, it’s a necessity, strictly for crowd control. The only time stores have total control over who enters the store is at opening. Otherwise, it would create mass chaos and confusion for all to clear out a store mid-day or in the early evening. Early hours are the safest and easiest times possible.
If you can’t make the earlier shopping hours, sign up for grocery delivery from Instacart.
Regular business hours have changed for many businesses. Therefore, hours vary by chain (and sometimes by region or location.)
The list is intended to serve as a community resource. However, information may change, especially as safety protocols and procedures evolve by state, region or city. As always, double-check first.
Friendly PSA: If you’re healthy, please ask your older relatives, neighbors and friends, if they need assistance with picking up groceries or other necessities. Many communities have established systems to link those in need with volunteers willing to lend a helping hand.
Here’s a round-up of what stores have scheduled around the country:
Acme. Seniors and other vulnerable shoppers can shop, every Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Albertsons. The grocery store is scheduling 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday for those most at risk in the community.
Amigos United. The grocery store is offering dedicated shopping time from opening to 9 a.m., every Monday and Thursday, for shoppers 60 and older and other customers with compromised immune systems.
Big Lots. The discount chain is reserving the first hour each day for senior citizens and other vulnerable groups.
City Market. The popular grocery is reserving the first hour of shopping, 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for senior citizens and other at-risk customers.
Costco. The discount warehouse is hosting special shopping hours for members 60 and older and people with physical disabilities from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. every Tuesday, Wedneday and Thursday.
Cub. Health care professionals, first responders, the elderly and high-risk customers can shop from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. every day.
Dollar General. The store is dedicating the first hour of operations each day solely for the shopping needs of senior customers.
FoodFair.The grocery store is reserving the first hour of shopping each day for seniors only.
Food Town. The grocery store is open only for seniors 65 or older from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., every day.
Fred Meyer. From 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., Monday to Thursday, the grocery store is offering senior shopping hours.
Fresco y Mas. Seniors and others at-risk can exclusively shop the Hispanic grocery store from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., Monday to Friday.
Fresh Market. The grocery store is reserving the first two hours stores are open, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., Monday through Friday, for seniors and those most at risk.
Gelson’s. Every day, the grocery store is open from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. for customers 65 and older.
Giant Food. Every day, the grocery store is reserving 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. for vulnerable populations.
Harris Teeter. The supermarket has set aside every Monday and Thursday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. for shoppers 60 and older.
Hen House. The first hour, from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m., is reserved for shopping by seniors and customers with disabilities at the grocery store.
Hy-Vee. The grocery store is open one hour early, from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., every day exclusively for customers 60 and older, expectant mothers and anyone with an underlying health condition.
King Soopers. The grocery is reserving the first hour of shopping, 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for senior citizens and other at-risk customers.
Lucky & Lucky California. The market is open from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. for seniors, every Tuesday and Thursday.
Lucky’s Market. The grocery store is offering early shopping hours, from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., for seniors and other vulnerable community members, every day.
Market of Choice. From 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., every Tuesday and Friday, is reserved for seniors to shop at the grocery store.
Metro Market. Every day, the grocery store is reserving 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. for seniors-only shopping.
Newport Avenue Market. The grocery store is opening early at 6 a.m., every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, for people 65 and older and other high-risk populations.
Nugget Markets. Depending on the location, the grocery store is offering seniors-only shopping hours every Tuesday and Thursday, from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. or 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Milam’s Markets. Every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., is reserved for senior citizens and other high-risk customers at the grocery store.
Oliver’s Market. The store is open to seniors only every day, from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.
Petaluma Market. The market is opening its doors early at 6 a.m. for seniors and customers with underlying health conditions.
Pick ‘n Save. Every day, the grocery store is reserving 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. for seniors-only shopping.
Publix. The store is reserving every Tuesday and Wednesday, from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., for shoppers 65 and older.
Quality Food Centers. From 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., Monday to Thursday, the grocery store is offering senior shopping hours.
Quality Foods. Every day, the grocery store is reserving 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. for seniors and other customers at high-risk.
Ralphs. Every day, the grocery store is reserving the first half-hour of shopping, from 7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., for customers 65 older.
Randalls. The grocery store is reserving 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., every Tuesday and Thursday, for seniors 60 or older, pregnant women and other high-risk groups.
Safeway. The grocery store is scheduling 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday for those most at risk in the community.
Sav A Lot. Many locations have dedicated shopping hours for seniors, customers with disabilities and their caregivers — please check your local store for participation.
Schnucks. The first hour of the day, from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m., is for senior customers (60 and older) and for those at high-risk to shop at the grocery store.
Sedano’s. The grocery store is reserving 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., every day, for seniors 65 and older and at-risk customers.
Shaw’s. Every Tuesday and Thursday, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., is reserved for seniors and other vulnerable groups to shop at the grocery store.
Smith’s. The store is dedicating the first hour, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 7:00 am to 8:00 to the shopping needs of seniors.
Sonoma Market. The grocery store is reserving 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., every Tuesday and Thursday, for customers 65 or older or has a medical condition.
Stater Bros. Markets. The market will open early at 7:45 a.m. for senior shopping.
Stop & Shop. The grocery store will open early every day, from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., for customers 60 and older only.
Target. The big box retailer is reserving the first hour every Wednesday for “vulnerable guests” to shop, including seniors and those with underlying health conditions.
Tony’s Market. The grocery store is offering special hours for seniors and other high-risk customers — 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., Monday through Friday.
Town & Country Markets. The grocery store is offering senior shopper hours, every Monday and Wednesday, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Trader Joe’s. Every day, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., the grocery store will maintain an additional line outside the front door for senior customers. This will ensure those customers in need will have an expedited entrance to the store.
Uwajimaya. The Asian specialty supermarket is offering senior shopping hours from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. in Seattle, everyday. At all other locations, the special hours are every Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Vallarta Supermarkets. All locations are open from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. for shoppers 65 and older, pregnant women and those with disabilities.
Walgreens.The popular drugstore is reserving the 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., every Tuesday, for its senior customers.
Walmart. From March 24 through April 28, Walmart’s 5,000-plus U.S. stores will host an hour-long senior shopping event every Tuesday for customers 60 and older — one hour before stores open.
Whole Foods Market. All locations in the U.S. will allow customers 60 and older to shop one hour before opening to the general public. (For example, if a store opens at 9 a.m., seniors can start shopping at 8 a.m.)
Winn-Dixie. Seniors and others at-risk can exclusively shop the grocery store from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., Monday to Friday.
Do you know of other stores with special hours for seniors? Leave a comment with the information.
