Local stores address supply shortages

SEELEY LAKE & Swan Valley – Photos of empty store shelves are flooding social media. Most recently our local stores have been cleaned out of certain products. Both the Mission Mountain Mercantile (The Merc) and Cory's Valley Market issue a word of caution and assure the community they are doing everything they can to help their customers.

"Your local businesses are working seven days a week. They take this responsibility seriously, it is not just to make money," said Grace Siloti, co-owner of the Mission Mountains Mercantile. "We are doing everything we can to think ahead and order ahead but there are things that we can't get."

Siloti said they saw the shortage coming and starting limiting certain products to one per family last week. They recognized the need to be cautious with the supplies that they get since there are older people in the Swan Valley that can't physically travel to town and others who don't have the means to stockpile everyday supplies.

"We are trying to be smart with what we have," said Siloti. "If you have older neighbors, try to help them out."

Owner of Cory's Valley Market Cory Thompson said their grocery supplier Associated Foods out of Salt Lake City, Utah are running trucks 24 hours a day in an effort to keep stores with supplies. However he is afraid shortages will get worse before they get better.

Last week when he ordered 100 cases of toilet paper, he only got three. Saturday morning Cory's put out nine packages of toilet paper and they were bought by one person when the store opened.

"They didn't buy $1,000 worth of toilet paper. Even if we would have already imposed limits, only nine people would have gotten toilet paper," said Thompson. "I just didn't think it was going to get this bad this quickly."

Since Saturday, Cory's started limiting paper products. They will continue to limit other items as supply and demand dictates.

"We are doing everything we can. Everyone is working hard," said Thompson. "Please don't be rude and let's work together."

Both stores are actively cleaning and disinfecting as much as possible with the supplies available. They ask that people who are sick make arrangements for someone else to do their shopping for them.

"Call in or have a neighbor pick up items for you," said Siloti. "[The Merc] will try and be as accommodating as possible."

The Merc has suspended their senior meals until further notice. Siloti recommends following the Center for Disease Control guidelines. Those people who are 60 years and older and those with compromised immune systems should self-isolate and avoid groups larger than 20 people.

Thompson said he will do everything in his power to not shut down. However, the exposure of his employees is a concern and he may need to adjust hours to accommodate.

"If someone is drowning they will drown you too if you jump in and try to help them," said Siloti. "People need to step back [instead of panicking] and do what they can to help. This is a time we need to come together and help our neighbors."

For more information please call The Merc 406-754-2387 or Cory's 406-677-2121.

 

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