CORRECTION: A previous version of this article indicated BV Wholesale would have extended hours from 7 to 8 a.m. based on information The Interior News received from a communications spokesperson with Save-On-Foods which stated “all stores will open from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. for seniors, people with disabilities and those most vulnerable to shop in a less hectic environment.”
Although BV Wholesale is part of the Save-On-Foods chain, it is not participating in the above promotion. The Interior News apologizes for any confusion.
With many stores across the country beginning to offer special extended hours for senior citizens in the face of COVID-19, at least one grocery stores in Smithers is following suit.
In a Facebook post the No Frills in Smithers announced it would be extending its hours for seniors from 8 to 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays to help try and give them a calmer shopping experience during a pandemic that has seen grocery stores experiencing very high levels of foot traffic.
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Shoppers Drug Mart has previously said all their locations across Canada will open exclusively for their first hour to seniors and people living with disabilities. The chain will also be offering a 20 per cent discount to seniors during that first hour of operation.
The Interior News reached out to the Smithers Safeway where an individual on the phone said the grocery store did not have any extended hours in place yet but that plans are in the works and an official announcement would be coming soon.
On First Avenue, Nature’s Pantry is asking customers to come in solo versus in groups to help limit the number of people inside at any given time.
On top of the extended hours, many grocery stores in the area are also taking additional precautions, such as enforcing limits on high-demand items like toilet paper, dairy and bottled water.
trevor.hewitt@interior-news.com
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