Mask, gloves, marks on the floor: Tacoma co-op grocer adapts to coronavirus era
Add Tacoma’s Central Co-Op to the list of grocers adjusting work habits amid the coronavirus outbreak to help keep workers and shoppers safe from COVID-19.
In an era of constant cleaning and sanitizing that also calls for vigilant social distancing, a co-op that prides itself in sustainable practices and developing a close-knit community through community-room gatherings has had to roll with the times quickly.
The co-op, 4502 N. Pearl St. in Tacoma, this week sent an update to members addressing the changes made in its Tacoma and Seattle stores while maintaining operations and supporting local vendors.
“We are continuing to allow the use of reusable shopping bags at this time but require that you bag your own groceries if you do,” the co-op said the message sent to members.
While reusable bags are OK if you do the bagging, “We are no longer allowing shoppers to bring in their own reusable containers.”
Latex gloves also are available for shoppers, and the co-op has “placed tape on the floors in front of our cash registers and deli counters marking out the proper six-foot distance.”
According to a notice on its website, the co-op has canceled “all workshops and Adult Beverage Tastings until further notice.”
“Please move through the store quickly — if you see a friend, connect with them outside of the store,” the website adds.
Like other grocers, it’s added clear plastic barriers at its cash registers and is keeping only every other cash register in use to increase social distancing. Signs also remind people to stay back.
Co-op restrooms are closed to the public.
Both its Tacoma and Seattle locations now close at 8 p.m. “and the hours from 6 to 8 a.m. (Seattle) and 8 to 10 a.m. (Tacoma) will still be reserved for the elderly and other at-risk individuals,” the co-op said in its note.
The co-op also found a distributor of non-medical face masks out of Portland so it could outfit its workers with them.
Catherine Willis Cleveland, CEO of Central Co-op, told The News Tribune via email that the masks “are not the hospital grade, so they don’t interfere with that tapped out supply line, but they do offer the protection of staff touching their own face with their hands, which is actually one of the top ways the virus is spread.”
She added, “Their delivery time was actually quite fast, and staff have been pleased to have the option of wearing them.”
The co-op, in its note, said it has added an “appreciation pay” increase for workers “starting immediately.”
“We ask that you try to plan ahead in order to limit your trips to the co-op and to coordinate with friends and family to combine shopping trips in order to limit your exposure and that of our employees.”
While its Seattle store has Instacart availability, “We are currently exploring ways to offer delivery to our Tacoma shoppers as well.”
Willis Cleveland said, “We are close to launching our Instacart program, but they are very backed up on their end. I am very eager to offer this service to our shoppers.”
The co-op opened its new Tacoma location in June 2019 after shutting down its former Sixth Avenue location in 2016.
