Plains grocery store's curbside shopping a hit

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, McGowan Grocery in Plains is doing its part to continue supplying residents with needed food and other supplies to survive, but they're also making it safer for customers and employees alike.

The store started an online curbside service last year - "McGowan Grab & Go Powered by Rosie" - after Erika Lawyer, the store office manager, treasurer and daughter of owner Bruce Swanson, saw it at a trade show. She said it was slow at first and they almost dropped it, but it picked up momentum and grew more popular when the Coronavirus hit. 

"I love this, especially since we're doing our part to be careful," said Christy Preble of Thompson Falls. "I don't want to get infected and I don't want to infect anyone else. I just want to do my part," said Preble, who added that she wished Harvest Foods in Thompson Falls would do the same thing. Laura Wood of Plains is also pleased with the program. "These are uncertain times. I like being part of the solution than the problem," said Wood.

The store had 10 regular customers taking part in the program when it began last summer and had set a maximum of 32 people a day. They never got close to that number and even considered halting the program. "And then the unthinkable happened and it really gave us a way to deliver groceries to folks who don't want to be in the public," said Lawyer. "I wish it wasn't this event that spurred its popularity but I am glad it is available to our guests."  

With the increase of participation in the curbside program and to help comply with the governor's social distancing guidance, management recently closed the store on Mondays and Thursdays to make them dedicated Grab & Go days, although people can utilize the Grab & Go ordering on other days as well. "The whole premise is you never have to leave your car. You order online, you pull up to the designated parking spots, call the store and give us your confirmation code and we bring the goods out and place them in your vehicle for you," said Lawyer, who temporarily closed her own store, Mountain West Clothing, weeks ago.

"We are trying to keep people home, or at least stay in their cars, and we will bring your groceries to you. The less exposure we all have to each other for a couple of weeks the better off we all are," said Lawyer. "We want to follow guidelines and rules and try to do our part to flatten the curve while still getting food to folks," she said, adding that they've increased the store Internet speed to help streamline the store's role. 

"I am very appreciative for the McGowan's team and their proactive efforts to limit any exposure or spread of the COVID-19 virus in our community and also their continuing efforts to make sure food and supplies are available for everyone during this period that some supplies have been difficult to obtain," said Plains Mayor Dan Rowan. 

The Grab & Go program at McGowan Grocery is only available with credit or debit cards, but there have been instances where people have paid with check and cash. However, the only way you can go online and access Rosie is with a debit or credit card. If a person calls the store to add onto their order then they would have to have cash or check ready for those additional items. A person cannot use anything but credit or debit for Rosie, said Lawyer.

Those with EBT or SNAP cards have to enter the store to put in their PIN number. If a person emails their shopping list to ‪[email protected]  and leaves them a way to contact them, the staff can retrieve the items and let them know the total charge and arrange a time for them to come in and swipe their SNAP or EBT card and enter their pins. Word is slowly getting around that the store is closed on Mondays and Thursdays for in-store shopping, but when some people showed up last week needing only a few items, staff members retrieved the items and delivered them to the customers waiting outside. With a technology background, staff member Kyle Revier was instrumental in getting the program up and running, according to Lawyer.

Lawyer said that initially the only customers to participate in the McGowan Grab & Go Powered by Rosie were Plains residents, but since the pandemic, people from Thompson Falls, Trout Creek, Hot Springs and Camas Prairie are using it. She said they usually have eight employees on hand during the dedicated online days to retrieve the items, ring them up and deliver them to folks outside.

"It has become so popular that we have had to reach out to Rosie and ask for additional slots for our store," Lawyer said. People can utilize the curbside program by going to the store website at http://www.mcgowangroceries.com and downloading an app to their phone or computer. 

McGowan Grocery even waived the picking fee for Rosie. Lawyer said that they had an additional fee for the curbside service, but dropped it when the COVID-19 became a threat. "We just didn't think it was the right thing to do - charge people to feel safe," she said.  "We want folks to use the service and pay the same at the check stand as they do in their jammies at home." 

Plains resident Kathy Warrington has used the curbside service only once, but likes it and plans to continue by ordering enough for two weeks at a time. "With the Coronavirus I feel it is my responsibility to not only keep myself safe, but also the safety of the employees at McGowan's and therefore Clark Fork Valley Hospital employees also. So although it is an inconvenience now, I'm looking at the long-term effects and am grateful that McGowan's offers this service," said Warrington.

"I like the idea of being able to offer folks a way to get groceries at their convenience. A way to get food without working around our store hours. And being a busy person, I get not wanting to just make a quick trip to the grocery store. Rosie is a great app." Lawyer also noted that when a person uses the app over a period of time, it automatically starts to list items a person routinely purchases and a person can make a customized list that's filled on a regular basis. Lawyer said that many times they can fill the order the same day, depending on the volume of orders, but if not, the next day for sure. 

Management has taken other steps to help during the pandemic. The store regular hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. From 8-9 a.m. on those days shopping is reserved for senior citizens 65 years and older and for people with compromised immune systems. The store limits the number of customers during normal hours to 10 people at a time to uphold by the six-foot distancing directive. "We just aren't big enough to have two or three people in any given aisle at a time," said Lawyer. They also closed the restrooms to the public.

The owner decided to close the store on Sundays to give the employees a "much deserved rest." Lawyer said they have to maintain healthy employees to endure what might be a long haul in this epidemic. "I have to protect them, otherwise, we won't be open at all," she said.

In addition, employees are constantly cleaning, spraying and using hand sanitizer to help reduce the spread of germs. "We have always cleaned, but now it's between customers rather than end of day or midway through the day. It's almost a full-time job following behind spraying and wiping. And people expect to see it happening now like never before," she said. McGowan also contracted Blackjack Power Wash, a Plains business, to sanitize the store's carts, baskets and other equipment with a bleach bath two or three times a week.

While some businesses in Sanders County have had to lay off employees and temporarily close up shop, and although McGowan Grocery has had to adjust some of their day-to-day functions and hours, they've not only had no layoffs, but gave their 24 employees a bonus. "I am giving my team a bonus because it's been the most stressful, exhausting month ever. Everyone of them has their own personal worries, their health issues, their need to stay employed, their lives beyond McGowans," she said. "Overall, my hope is to continue to assure my people they get a full check at the end of the month," added Lawyer, who has worked at her father's store since she was 13 years old. Her sons, Wyatt and Jake, have been part timers there since age 14. Even her younger daughter, Ava, has been working at the store, packing Grab & Go orders, answering the phone, and cleaning. The store continues to be short on some items, but it is getting more deliveries each week. 

Overall, feedback has been positive, according to Lawyer, who added that most people understand that the precautions are for the safety of the store staff and customers. "It has actually been a little overwhelming as we tackle the learning curve, but people have been very understanding when we explain how it works and why we are doing it," said Lawyer. "This crew's commitment to getting groceries to our community in a time when people are scared and uneasy and angst-ridden amazes and humbles me."

The Little Bitterroot Services Corner Grocery is still open and they are also taking precautions to protect the staff and public, said Amy Ross, the store manager. Ross said they are allowing only six customers in at a time. The store is taped off to show customers the six-foot distance recommendation. Ross said they have a handful of people working at the store and they are wearing gloves and masks. One staff member is devoted to keeping the counters, doors, and handles clean with disinfectant on a regular basis.

The Corner Grocery is open Monday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday noon to 6 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is also open on Saturday from 4-5 p.m. for those 65-years and older.