Businesses adjusting hours and services due to COVID-19

SIKESTON — Local businesses are being impacted by the coronavirus, with several adjusting their hours and/or their services.

Dollar General stores, nationwide, are dedicating the first hour of shopping to seniors, who are one of the groups most vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus.

“In keeping with our mission and our ongoing commitment to serve our communities, we are dedicating the first hour of each day to seniors,” said CEO Todd Vasos. “We appreciate our customers’ understanding of our decision and request they visit our stores later in the morning to allow at-risk populations the ability to purchase the items they need at affordable prices.

Additionally, all stores plan to close one hour earlier than current close times to allow employees to clean and re-stock store shelves as well as for their health and wellbeing. Stores will continue to maintain current opening hours.

Current normal operating hours at individual store locations include: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.: 1551 N. Main in Sikeston, Mo.; Chaffee, Mo.; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.: 1355 E. Malone and 917 S. Kingshighway in Sikeston; Morehouse, Mo.; Charleston, Mo.; East Prairie, Mo.; New Madrid, Mo.; Lilbourn, Mo.; Benton, Mo.; Oran, Mo.; Scott City, Mo.; and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Portageville, Mo..

Dollar General remains committed to providing customers and employees with a safe, clean and pleasant shopping environment at all stores and seeks for customers to feel confident when shopping its stores, the retailer said.

“During these unprecedented times, Dollar General is diligently working to meet the ongoing needs of our customers and communities,” Vasos said. “We are proud to live our mission and provide customers with everyday low prices on the household essentials that are used and replenished most often.”

Also locally:

• In a statement from Susie’s Bake Shoppe & Restaurant, while they have increased their sanitizing and hand washing and are now offering curbside pickup for their customer’s convenience.

“When you place your order, we will give you a total and you can pay with a credit/debit, check or cash,” a statement released on social media said. “When you arrive we will run the order out the front door to you. We still offer delivery as well.”

• Aldi has adjusted their hours and will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day until further notice. According to a statement to customers, the modified daily closure time will help store employees focus on restocking and cleaning tasks so they can continue to serve the community.

• Walmart stores and Neighborhood Markets all changed their open hours, opening now at 6 a.m. and closing at 11 p.m. until further notice.

“This will help ensure associates are able to stock the products our customers are looking for and to perform cleaning and sanitizing,” Dacona Smith, executive vice president and CEO of Walmart U.S., said in a news release. “Stores currently operating under more reduced hours, for example they regularly close at 10 p.m. or open at 7 a.m., will keep their current hours of operation.”

Smith said associates will continue to work their scheduled shifts, adding the chain has a temporary COVID-19 emergency leave policy for its employees.

• Ruler Foods has also temporarily changed store operating hours. Ruler Foods will adjust to 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on days when additional trucks arrive. Stores will post temporary signage notifying customers about modified hours and a complete list of stores with altered schedules is available daily online at www.RulerFoods.com/hours

“We have been so impressed with the hard-work of our in-store teams as they work to accommodate additional customers in our busy stores.” said Divisional President Dustin Goodpaster. “We understand our responsibility in taking care of our associates and customers during this time. This extra time will allow our teams to sanitize, receive trucks, and stock our shelves in anticipating our customers’ needs.”

Regular store hours of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. will be observed unless noted.

• In compliance with local, state and federal directives concerning Covid-19, Malco Theatres is temporarily closing all locations at close of business Tuesday. 

“The health and safety of our guests and employees is of the highest importance,” said David Tashie, President and COO. “We will continue closely monitoring the situation and when given clearance, be ready to resume normal operations.” 

Status updates regarding reopening dates will be posted on www.malco.com.