To slow coronavirus spread, Anderson’s offers free delivery, curbside pickup

Photo: Owner Brad Anderson poses in front of a renovated Anderson’s Market in 2015.

By Jacob Wheeler

Sun editor

Americans and people all over the world are being asked to practice “social distancing” by isolating themselves and their immediate families and avoiding crowds, in order to slow the spread of Coronavirus and the disease it causes, Covid-19.

Glen Arbor’s local grocery store, Anderson’s Market, is doing its part to enable citizens to stock up on food and supplies, while avoiding contact with each other. That measure may save lives.

Anderson’s is offering free curbside pickup and free local deliveries (to zip codes in Glen Arbor, Empire and Maple City) during the Coronavirus global pandemic. The grocery store began offering curbside pickup for an extra $5 and delivery for an extra $10 last May. The original intent, according to manager Jamie Blough, was to streamline the process of buying groceries and make things easier for customers.

To order groceries for curbside pickup or delivery, visit the website Shop.AndersonsGlenArbor.com.

“People come up here to spend their time outside, not in lines,” said Blough. “A lot of our clients are used to this kind of service at home.”

But other than a few year-round customers who use the service once or twice a week, Blough said the service didn’t take off — that is, until the pandemic reached Michigan this past week. The Great Lakes state now has 45 reported cases, as of Sunday, March 15.

“Some people are really worried about (Coronavirus),” she said.

The disease disproportionally affects senior citizens and those over 60. That’s the demographic most representative of Glen Arbor. To date (Sunday, March 15), 3,000 Americans have contracted Coronavirus and 61 have died from it. The pandemic has killed more than 6,500 worldwide, with total cases reaching nearly 170,000.

Anderson’s has also doubled down on sanitation practices, and intends to keep regular hours during the crisis.

Owner Brad Anderson recently posted on the grocery store’s Facebook page: “Our Anderson’s Market family would like to reassure your family that we are doing our utmost to protect the public through redoubled sanitation and best practice initiatives. We expect to maintain normal business hours to serve the wider community and will make every effort to provide the clean, well-stocked and safe environment you have grown to love and expect. … We will be here for you, as always, as we face this unprecedented time with confidence, smart policy and a resolute attitude of helping the community as best we can.”

Anderson’s is currently out of hand sanitizer — one of the most important hygiene products to ward off Coronavirus. The store expects to receive another shipment on Tuesday.

Fortunately, said Blough, Anderson’s hasn’t experienced shelf-emptying hoarding of toilet paper and other products like big box stores in Traverse City have.

“We’re asking customers to consider the community where they’re shopping,” said Blough. “People are calmer out here.”

Dear readers: do you know of any other businesses, or individuals, in Leelanau County who are taking exemplary action to slow the spread of Coronavirus? Tell us about them. We’d love to feature them …