Many Crookston businesses will remain open over the coming weeks with the essential services they provide to the Crookston community. It’s crucial for the community that those services are used during this time, and KROX talked with several of the local business about how things have been going and what lies ahead.
WONDERFUL LIFE FOODS
Erin Brule said things have been going well at Wonderful Life Foods, and they are offering curbside pickup for those that would prefer not to come into the shop. “Things are going well here,” said Brule. “We’re able to stay stocked on all of our core items. We have our farm fresh eggs. We have ground beef from our local farmer Tim Szymanski. We’re still making our made from scratch soup. We’ve got sandwiches, wraps, smoothies, and baked goods, so things are going good here. If you’d like to have curbside pickup as opposed to coming into the store, you can call us at 281-1125, and we’d be happy to run it out for you.”
Wonderful Life Foods is open 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday.
CROOKSTON PAINT & GLASS
Crookston Paint & Glass has also been doing well and will remain open. “Our paint business has been rocking,” said Kay Oein. “People are at home wanting to do home projects, I guess. So, hopefully, floor covering will come after that. We are going to keep the same business hours we have been doing. That’s Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Saturday 8:30 a.m.-noon unless the governor tells us otherwise.”
The number for Crookston Paint and Glass is 281-4215.
CROOKSTON HARDWARE HANK
Bruce Arvidson said Crookston Hardware Hank hasn’t had many changes but will bring orders out to the car for people who don’t want to come into the store or can deliver inside city limits. “So far, we haven’t noticed a big change in business,” said Arvidson. “People are somewhat apprehensive, I guess, about the social distancing and stuff like that. But, we’ve been able to adjust and haven’t seen too many changes other than we can’t get the staples people are looking for, anything that has the word disinfectant on it is pretty much nonexistent. The warehouse is working on getting it back in stock. Hopefully, the first week of April, we’ll be able to get some more wipes, sprays, and that type of stuff. The biggest adjustment we are doing now is if you are uncomfortable coming into the store, you can call ahead. We’ll have your order ready and can bring it to your car if you don’t want to come in. We’ll also deliver in the city limits of Crookston as well.”
Hardware Hank is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The number for Hardware Hank is 281-1749.
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS FORD
Tommy Helgeson said that Christian Brothers Ford will remain open and will function as per usual in the service and parts department. “We’re kind of in uncharted waters right now,” said Helgeson. “As expected, things are a little quieter than normal in the sales department here at Christian Brothers Ford. The service department and parts have been busy, but they’ve been busier in the past as well. We want people to know that we are open, and we will remain open during Governor Walz’s shelter-in-place as we are listed as an essential service. Our service and parts department will be open on Saturday morning after the shelter-in-place from 8 a.m.-noon, Monday through Friday open from 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.”
The sales side will operate by appointment only, according to Helgeson, who also stressed that the service department would continue to offer pickup and delivery of vehicles. “A little different on the sales side, we will be open by appointment only,” said Helgeson. “So, if there is something you have seen on our website www.christianbrosthersford.com or you see it on our automotive group website www.christiancarsonline.com, which lists all of our dealerships. If you see something there or on the lot, we ask that you give Scott Oertwich or me a call to schedule an appointment at 281-1338. That same number is for servicing of your vehicle too, 281-1338. Something we are stressing that we’ve been doing anyway, but especially with the shelter-in-place, is to let people know we will come to you. We will pick up your vehicle, service it, get the mechanic work, whatever work needs to be done, and return that vehicle to your home or business.”
TRUE VALUE
Sheryl Adams said business has been steady at True Value. “It’s been steady,” said Adams. “Pretty much one person after the other. If we are at the point if we have those waiting in line, they are standing back. We are doing everything possible to sanitize after every single person. Wiping those door handles down, wiping the counter down, and keep our distance from everyone. So far, so good, and everyone here is healthy.”
Adams added that a business that is considered essential, True Value will remain open. “We are considered essential, and we are staying open,” said Adams. “We are doing the best that we can if someone needs to run something to us, we’re helping in any way we possibly can. Anybody that comes in, we’re trying to get them anything we can. We don’t know what’s coming in our shipments. It’s tough for us right now. We’re praying tonight we get toilet paper, Clorox, and Lysol, but ordering it doesn’t mean we’re necessarily going to get it. We’ve been trying to get masks for a month now. We still do have some cleaning products that are 99 percent effective for a virus, but we’re trying to do the best we can. We’re going to try to stay open for everyone as much as possible and hope that if you have a project going while you’re stuck at home, you’ll come to get some paint, paintbrushes, trash bags to clean out the garage, whatever you need. Hopefully, the snow will go away in the next couple of weeks and can start raking.”
The number for True Value is 281-2270.
WIDMAN’S CANDY –
Widman’s Candy will remain open with their regular hours. The only difference will be the customers can’t eat or drink in the store.
Restaurants will continue to be able to provide delivery and curbside-to-go. We talked with many of the restaurants in town about their options last week, and that information is available here.
