SmartShopper

Grocery stores begin returning to regular operating hours

As of mid-May, many grocery stores and drug stores have returned to normal operating hours. Some have ended their senior and at-risk shopping hours as well. Read on for the details.

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Publix Announcement (photo credit Publix)

During the pandemic, many grocery and drug stores have reduced their hours of business until further notice to allow for extra cleaning and stocking time.

In mid-May, some stores began returning to normal operating hours. In addition, select stores have also suspending their reserved shopping hours for seniors and others at greater risk.

Following are the hours announced by the corporate offices for each of these stores. Please keep in mind that these hours are continuing to change and you may want to check the website for your local store to verify the most current hours.

Adjusted Grocery and Drug Store Hours

Aldi: As of June 2020, most Aldi stores in the area are now open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day or from 8 am - 9 pm each day. See the hours for your specific store on their website.
BJ's Wholesale Club: Most stores are now open Monday through Saturday from 9 am - 8 pm and on Sundays from 9 am to 7 pm. until further notice. BJ's Members who are over the age of 60 can shop during the reserved hours from Monday through Saturday 8 AM to 9 AM.
Carlie C's: Carlie C's locations are going back to their normal operating hours on Wednesday, May 27. Most stores will be open 7am-10pm starting on 5/27. They will continue offering reserved senior shopping hours for customers 60 and older from 7am-8am on Sunday mornings. See their website to verify the hours for your store.
Costco: As of Monday, May 4, most U.S. Costco locations and Costco gas stations returned to regular operating hours. Costco warehouses will be open from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., Monday through Friday for members ages 60 and older as well as people with disabilities. According to their website, "Only members who meet this criteria will be able to shop during these hours. Guests will not be admitted." See their website for the hours for your location.
CVS: Most CVS locations in the Triangle have returned to regular hours. See the CVS website for the specific hours for your location.
Dollar General: Check their website for current store hours, which vary from store to store.
Dollar Tree: According to their website, as of May 14, 2020 Dollar Tree is continuing to close all stores at 8:00 p.m. local time until further notice. They are also still dedicating the first shopping hour to at-risk customers, including senior citizens, individuals with pre-existing health conditions, and pregnant women.
Family Dollar: According to their website, as of May 14, 2020, Family Dollar is continuing to close all stores at 8:00 p.m. local time until further notice. They are also still dedicating the first shopping hour to at-risk customers, including senior citizens, individuals with pre-existing health conditions, and pregnant women.
Food Lion: Food Lion has not adjusted their hours for most stores and they have continued to be open during normal operating hours. They are also offering people who are 60 and older or who are immunocompromised special shopping hours on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7 a.m. – 8 a.m. according to their website.
Harris Teeter: As of May 13, Harris Teeter stores have returned to normal hours. See the hours for your store on their Store Locator. Their website indicates, "Harris Teeter is now designating two hours every Monday and Thursday morning from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. as senior shopping hours for shoppers aged 60 and over. Pharmacies will open at 7 a.m."
Lidl: Open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until further notice
Lowes Foods: Open from 7 am to 9 pm each day until further notice. They are asking customers to help them dedicate from 7am to 8am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to Seniors and those who are at greater risk.
Ollie's Bargain Outlet: Most locations are open regular hours now. They are offering a designated shopping hour for senior citizens and those with compromised immune systems from Monday - Saturday 9 a.m - 10 a.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Publix: Beginning Saturday, May 16, Publix will have new shopping hours from 7 am to 9 pm each day and the pharmacy will return to normal operating hours. In addition, the reserved shopping hours for customers who are 65 and older will no longer be available.
Sam's Club: Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday - Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. They are also offering new senior shopping hours as of May 26 according to their website:

"Starting Thursday, March 26, Sam’s Club locations nationwide will offer early shopping hours every Tuesday and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. for seniors and those with disabilities or compromised immune systems. This includes our Pharmacies, Hearing Aid Centers and Optical Centers and will last until further notice. During special shopping hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., these members can shop Sam’s Club without ever leaving their car. From a designated parking location, members in need can place their order from their car. Then, a Sam’s Club associate will grab the items on the list, and the member will use Scan & Go to check out."

Sprouts: As of Wednesday, April 29, they are open regular hours once again from 7am – 10pm each day.
Target: Most Triangle area Target stores are closing at 9 p.m. each evening so they can better clean and stock their stores. Many Target stores are reserving the first hour of the day on Tuesday and Wednesday for seniors and those at risk. See the Target website for the specific reserved hours and store hours for your closest location.
The Fresh Market: Open 8 a.m. – 9 p.m, seven days a week. Each weekday, the first shopping hour of 8 AM – 9 AM will be reserved for seniors and other individuals most at risk. According to their website, "On weekdays the first shopping hour of 8 AM – 9 AM will be reserved for seniors and other individuals most at risk as identified by the CDC. We ask that our other guests who do not fall into a higher risk category respect this reserved hour."
Trader Joe's: As of May 11th, Trader Joe's stores are open until 8PM daily. They are also continuing to dedicate the first hour of operation every day for seniors over the age of 60 and customers with disabilities who may need additional assistance while shopping.
Walmart: Walmart stores and Neighborhood Markets have changed their hours as of August 17, for most stores. According to their website, "By August 17, more than 4,000 of our 4,700 Walmart stores will expand their closing time from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., providing customers with greater options to shop for the food, medicine and supplies they need. Additionally, our stores will host a senior shopping hour every Tuesday for customers age 60 and older who may be more vulnerable. This will start one hour before the store opens. Our pharmacies and vision centers will also be open during this time." See the details on the Walmart website.
Walgreens: As of early May, most Walgreens stores are open regular hours. See the hours for your location on their website.
Wegmans: As of June 1, 2020, the Wegmans grocery store in Raleigh is open from 6 a.m. to midnight daily.
Whole Foods: Most Whole Foods stores in the Triangle are open from 8 am - 8 pm each day. Customers who are 60 or older, at high risk or with disabilities can shop in stores from 7 am.

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