Stokes Supermarket near normal, offers special services for vulnerable customers

Things are not exactly normal, but are getting back to normal, at one of Northeast Mississippi’s longest established owner-operated grocery stores.

“We still have a few empty shelves, but we’re getting back closer to normal,” said John Childers, owner/manager of Stokes Supermarket in New Albany. “Our suppliers are stepping up to the challenge and are doing a good job of supplying what our customers need.

Supplies are adequate to meet customer needs

“Those who supply us with canned goods, produce, milk, bread, and fresh meat are doing a good job. We get deliveries every day, and had very big truck load come in Friday.” (March 27).

Childers said Stokes has taken extraordinary precautions to do the best they can to protect the health of employees and customers.

John Childers, Stokes Supermarket owner/operator

For example, Childers said Bush, the country’s main supplier of canned beans, has assured a good supply by reducing the variety of canned beans it supplies. “They’re concentrating on the basics, only two or three kinds of baked beans, but plenty of black beans and pinto beans,” he said. Since all beans have essentially the same nutritional values of protein, fiber, carbs, and vitamins, nutritional needs will be met.

“People are going to have plenty to eat,” said Childers. “They may just have slightly less variety available until we get over this crisis. Meat vendors may supply us with more ground beef and fewer steaks for a while, so the herds and meat packers can catch up again.”

Special services for vulnerable customers

In order to protect the health of vulnerable customers, those over age 65 with chronic health conditions, Stokes has instituted a service whereby such customers can call in orders and have their groceries delivered to their motor vehicles in the Stokes parking lot.

• The telephone number for this delivered-to-the-car service is 662-534-0905.
• This service is available until 5 pm.
• Payment must be made by cash or check.
• Customers are asked to call ahead and give the Stokes staff time to gather and bag the items they need.
• Customers are asked to have their shopping lists well prepared and perhaps be willing to accept some substitutions if particular brands or package sizes, etc. are not available.

Stokes has been serving customers in Union County for most of a century, having started business in Keownville in the 1920s. For the last several decades, Stokes Supermarket has been located at the intersection of Highways 15 and 30 in New Albany. Under the local emergency order, Stokes is closing at 8 p.m. each day, an hour earlier than in less dangerous times.

“We appreciate the cooperation of our customers and our vendors as we work to get through this crisis together,” said Childers. “While things are improving, this is not over. People need to be very careful and follow the CDC and local orders faithfully.”