Elmhurst Coronavirus: How Are Stores Looking?

ELMHURST, IL — Two weeks ago, four major grocery stores in Elmhurst were mobbed with customers. And many shelves were bare. By Tuesday, things had changed. Most items were stocked, even toilet paper in places, but some items were running low.

Late Tuesday morning, Patch revisited four Elmhurst stores — Mariano's, Jewel, Whole Foods and Walmart (just across the road from Elmhurst). All four supermarkets offered sanitizing wipes for customers near the front doors. In addition to that, Walmart also had hand sanitizer.

Compared with two weeks ago, more employees and customers wore face masks, although they were still in a distinct minority. Some stores, including Mariano's, had signs on the floor where people were asked to stand while waiting in line, promoting social distancing. Most of the stores have wide aisles that make such distancing possible, though Jewel is more cramped, making keeping away from others a challenge.

Fewer customers were in the four supermarkets than two weeks ago, with a Jewel employee saying the traffic was about normal for a weekday.

Mariano's and Whole Foods were out of toilet paper, which people started hording at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis. Walmart and Jewel had limited quantities. Most of the stores posted signs limiting one toilet paper package per customer.

The meat sections, which were largely wiped out in the first days, appeared to have come back, although Walmart remains the hardest hit.

Two weeks ago, the produce department at Whole Foods took a big hit, not a surprise for a supermarket popular with the health conscious. The store had no organic potatoes during Patch's first tour, but it was well-stocked with that item Tuesday. And the price had not changed.

Whole Foods customers also are seen as environmentally aware. But they have gotten bad news in this regard: The store has suspended the use of reusable bags, in an attempt to keep the coronavirus away.

Read more:

Illinois Coronavirus Update March 31: Cases Top 5,000; 73 Deaths

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