In the foreground, Robin Johnson bags groceries while a volunteer shopper checks the list to make sure all of the items have been checked off. Johnson’s Foods is the only grocery store in Grand Marais where you have to place your order and pick up your food curbside. Mark and Robin Johnson say they are sticking with this business model to protect their employees and customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff photo/Brian Larsen
Mask wearing volunteer shoppers waste no time as they cruise down the aisles of Johnson’s Foods. It doesn’t take them long to fill a basket or a cart with a customer’s order.
Once filled, a call is made and the customer comes to the parking lot and their groceries are brought to them. Three days a week, home deliveries are made in Grand Marais too. Instead of taking the time to shop for themselves, customers use that shopping time for work or pleasure.
“It’s a neat system, but labor intensive, and it’s not for everybody,” said Robin Johnson, co-owner with her husband Mark Johnson.
At this time, Johnson’s Foods is the only Grand Marais grocery store closed to inside shopping, but still providing curb-side service and home deliveries.
That wasn’t always the case. Originally, Gene’s Foods, Cook County Whole Foods and Johnson’s Foods closed their stores to inside shoppers at the same time on March 25. Gene’s Foods made the decision to open first with certain conditions (wearing masks, social distancing, and limiting customers) on Friday, May 29. Whole Foods Co-op opened with similar restrictions a few days later.
“For us, we have decided to remain closed to protect the health of our employees and our customers,” said Robin Johnson.
She wasn’t taking a swipe at the other two stores for opening up their businesses. A lot of folks who shop at Johnson’s are older and as we have all learned, the COVID-19 coronavirus hits the older population very hard.
Also, highway construction in front of the store compromises parking and limits access into and out of the parking lot, noted Robin.
To order groceries, customers go to the Johnson’s Foods website at johnsonsfoods.com. There, one can find photos of many items inside the store (look under Announcements, then Shopping List) and place an order by email. Customers who don’t have internet access can call in orders at 218-387-2480. Once the order is filled, an employee or volunteer will call the customer to get additional payment information and to let them know their order is ready to be picked up at the store parking lot.
Home deliveries are made Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, if you live in Grand Marais. “A lot of our older clients can stay at home and not worry about going out,” said Robin. “They give us a lot of positive feedback about this service.”
It’s a good system, but Robin admitted, “We do see people pulling into our parking lot and then pull out again. I know this service doesn’t work for everybody. You can’t come in and pick out your own produce or meat. There is also no impulse buying. At the same time, for right now, we will continue to work with this model.”
Following the rush of buying during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, some items usually found on shelves aren’t there yet. Or if they are, they are sold in limited quantities.
While this frustrates shoppers, it’s also hard for the grocers who make orders that can’t be filled because of broken supply chains.
“The distribution system for some products might not be fully back online until the fall,” added Robin.
As far as the new system goes, the business model couldn’t work without the aid of volunteers. Monday through Saturday, there are 3-5 volunteers who work two three-hour shifts each day, Johnson said. “We couldn’t offer this service without them. I can’t say enough about their generosity with their time. They do a great job and have a great attitude. It’s been amazing!”
Until health experts signal that the COVID-19 pandemic is diminishing, Robin said the store will stick with its current business model. “Business is down 30 percent compared to last year’s revenue at the same time, but sometimes money isn’t the biggest concern.”
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