Coronavirus: More Minnesota Grocery Stores Adjust Hours

TWIN CITIES, MN — Shoppers stocking up on peanut butter and fighting in store aisles over the last package of toilet paper are among reasons prompting grocery chains in Minnesota to adjust hours to allow staff more time to restock and clean shelves.

Several chains, including Cub Foods and Hy-Vee, recently announced store hours would be modified for various reasons, all of which stem from the ongoing new coronavirus outbreak in the United States. Some stores cited the health of employees as a reason for the move.

Other stores are also carving out time for the elderly and at-risk by setting aside the first hour or two of designated shopping days so these groups can shop before the general public.

Here's a look at the latest grocery chains announcing updated hours. This information is subject to change as new closures are announced:

ALDI: Stores are now open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Some stores may have limited hours to accommodate restocking and cleaning.

Costco: The company has not announced changes to store hours.

Cub Foods: 13 stores will remain open 24 hours, and four Cub pharmacies will extend their hours to 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. starting Thursday.

Dollar General: All stores will close an hour earlier than the regular posted hours. The company also is recommending the first hour of each day be reserved for elderly and at-risk shoppers.

Hy-Vee: Starting Thursday, new store hours will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice. Hy-Vee will offer a special shopping hour from 7 to 8 a.m. daily for senior citizens age 60 and older, expectant mothers and those who are considered to be at higher risk for serious illness.

Lunds & Byerlys: Lunds & Byerlys stores will be open from the reduced hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day to allow for deep cleaning, restocking, and to keep staff well-rested.

Sam’s Club: Opening hours are now 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Sunday hours will remain 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Prescheduled pickup orders will still be available starting at 7 a.m.

Target: The company will close all stores at 9 p.m. and reserves the first shopping hour of every Wednesday for elderly and at-risk customers.

Trader Joe’s: All Trader Joe’s stores will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice.

Walmart: Walmart stores and Neighborhood Markets will be open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. until further notice.

Whole Foods: The company announced Tuesday it would adjust store hours, asking customers to check its website for more information on a specific store’s hours. Whole Foods will also reserve an hour before a store’s scheduled opening time each day to allow elderly and at-risk customers time to shop.

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