A lot has changed since last week.
One day I was getting ready for the men’s SEC basketball tournament and the next I had to figure out when I can drive to the coast to see my parents, or even if I should.
With the COVID-19 coronavirus numbers in America continuing to rise, it seems like our lives have continued to change daily. Area businesses have tried working with the guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which leads to new updates everywhere we look. Here in the Golden Triangle, trends of temporary store closures, or drastic changes in how businesses operate, are sweeping through our towns.
Walmart has announced its typically 24-hour locations will only be open 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. “until further notice.” The limited hours allow the staff to clean, sanitize and stock products efficiently.
Nationwide, Belk has announced its temporary closure until March 30. Area residents who frequent the Columbus location are free to still shop the big box retailer online.
The Malco Theater chain, which includes the Columbus location, and the UEC chain that includes the Starkville theater, have both closed temporarily. Movie-goers can continue social distancing with Netflix, Hulu and home-popped popcorn and can stay up to date with both theaters on social media.
In Columbus, hometown restaurant favorites such as Zachary’s, Proffit’s Porch, Umi and more have started to shift to online, to-go or delivery business only.
Visit Columbus has been updating its list rapidly for new restaurant hours and openings, so be sure to check out the link before you have your dinner plans set at https://bit.ly/3b3wp1w.
The trend is starting in Starkville, as well, with classic go-tos closing their dining areas for the foreseeable future. Those include Restaurant Tyler, Bin 612, Shipley’s Donuts, Umi and more.
Local favorite The Veranda and new restaurant Georgia Blue have both closed for the foreseeable future.
Several restaurant chains have since eliminated lobby or in-house seating this week, but still allow drive-thru, pick-up and delivery. McDonald’s, Starbucks, Chik-fil-a, Taco Bell, Arby’s, KFC and Buffalo Wild Wings have already gone that route, and the list will only grow.
If you’re up for supporting area restaurants, it’s time to check out Lazy Guys, Uber Eats and Columbus 2 Go to get that food delivered right to your door. Customers can pay via mobile apps or over the phone, depending on the service.
Columbus 2 Go and Lazy Guys are both offering no-contact delivery to help combat the spread of COVID-19. Your delivery driver will pick up your order from an area restaurant, knock on your door, drop off your meal and leave to help stop the spread.
On the other side of grocery news, Kroger announced updated, limited hours for varied stores nationwide, though as of this morning, Starkville and Columbus location hours have not changed.
Although healthier and younger individuals may not be as susceptible to the most severe symptoms of COVID-19, those who raised and loved us are. All this week, the Caledonia Shop and Save on Cal Kolola Road has offered an “elderly only hour.” Through Saturday, from 6-7 a.m., customers 60 years and older can shop with ease and in a less crowded environment.
A prominent store chain in our area, Dollar General, announced a similar concept. The first hour of every day is designated for “senior shoppers.” For those non-senior shoppers, try to plan your trips after the 7-8 a.m. hour.
Representatives also announced all stores would close an hour earlier, 9 p.m. for most stores, to allow for employees to restock and clean.
The business world has changed entirely from a week ago, and it’s likely to continue. While we all try to adapt and figure this out, be sure to help out when you can and, above all, stay safe.
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