Notes from the General Manager
May 2020

Human beings' ability to adapt always amazes me.

March and April were such stressful times for us at Daily.  Completely changing the way you do business in a couple of weeks time, especially when conditions and news change every day, is disorienting and exhausting.

I’m happy to say that Daily has settled into new habits, routines, and operating procedures, and we are ready to take on what comes next for the little co-op that could.  The question we keep asking ourselves is, How are we still your neighborhood store in a global pandemic?

It also brings me such relief that we’ve been able to come up with safe ways to serve our community in this tiniest store in the world.  I read disturbing stories about big-box stores and warehouses around the country, and I’m proud that we are keeping the safety of our staff and customers the biggest priority.

Now that we have streamlined our operations for curbside procedure, we are ready to take the next step and test run door service for our community.

Starting Wednesday, May 6th, we will be open limited hours of the week for an ‘express checkout’ of 10 items or less.  We are still not allowing customers inside the store, for many reasons, including the fact that in our limited floor space, we wouldn’t be able to let many of you in the store at one time.

Our new hours of operation:

• Mondays - Fridays, 8am-6pm

• Saturdays & Sundays, 11am-6pm

On Wednesdays, Fridays, & Sundays, we will be offering door service to customers from 3-6pm.

Here is what we ask of you:

Door service:

• For door service, we have a limit of 10 items or less.

• The cut-off for any line outside will be 5:45pm; anyone in line at that time will be served before we close for the day.

• We ask that you funnel large shops into online ordering; consider consolidating shops and trips whenever possible.

• We request you wear a face-covering when visiting Daily.

• We request you use the gloves and hand sanitizer provided.

• No reusable bags or containers for bulk or produce (clean glass bottles for bulk kombucha will be allowed).  If you want to use your own tote bag, you must bag your own groceries at checkout.

• If you are feeling unwell, please do not utilize door service; consider online ordering for curbside pick-up.

• Practice social distancing (about 6 feet) when waiting outside.

• If possible, pay with a card rather than cash. 

Curbside service:

• Orders can be placed anytime via our website.  Expect a 24-72 hour turnaround time, depending on volume of orders received, and availability of product.

• Pay ahead of time via phone or PayPal, and then call when you are at our side entrance on Pope Street.

• Orders that are paid for can be picked up during all hours of operation, but new orders will not be filled during the hours that we are offering door service.

• Practice social distancing with staff and customers on the sidewalk.

• See our website for inventory lists and delivery days in order to optimize the availability of the products you are seeking.

• We encourage owner-members to place special orders via our website for specific products or large quantities of product.

• We encourage all customers to use our ‘buy-it-now baskets’ when convenient.

In some good news, on April 22nd, we were notified that our application to be full members of National Cooperative Grocers was accepted.  This membership has been a goal of Daily since 2014, and we are so pleased and proud to be accepted to this beneficial organization (which is also a cooperative). 

What does this membership mean for you, our members  and customers?  It gives Daily access to a variety of programs with our major distributors for better pricing and exclusive products.  By July, you should start to see lower prices on many staple items in the store, and then later, regular promos on national products.  It could also mean better pricing for owner-members on special orders of certain items.

We will continue to remain committed to local and sustainable food and products and vendors, including our local farmers.  As a co-op, even as part of a national organization, we have the autonomy to be unique to our particular community.

Thank you for sticking with us even when things are hard and not-normal.  We appreciate you.

Be safe.  Be well.  Be excellent to each other.