This is a time very different than most have ever experienced before. We have been asked by our President and by our governor to remain home, leaving only for essential functions. It has left many questions about what is essential, what is allowed, and what resources are available to figure it all out? We will use this post to try to give practical information to help the community answer some of these questions regarding local food establishments. Please be advised that this is a constantly changing situation, and information that may be true one moment, can change completely the next. If in doubt, be sure to give the business a call before heading out.
Grocery
Food is an essential service, and all local grocery stores remain open, although most have altered their hours of operation while the COVID-19 restrictions are in place. All stores have limits on highly sought after items such as paper goods, bottled water, and sanitizing products.
Bashas: (928) 474-7039. As of 3/15/20, adjusted hours are daily from 6am-9pm.
Specialty services: Senior citizen (65+) shopping hour, Wednesdays 5am-6am.
Healthcare and first responder shopping hours: Tuesday & Thurs mornings, 30 minutes before normal opening time.
Safeway: (928) 472-8208. Store hours 6am-9pm.
Specialty services: Seniors, expectant mothers, immune compromised individual shopping hours, Tuesday and Thursday 6am-9am.
Pharmacy is offering FREE home medicine delivery through May 1st.
Walmart: (928) 474-0029. Adjusted store hours are 7am-8:30.
Specialty services: Senior citizen shopping hour, Tuesday 6am-7am.
Back to Basics: (928) 474-8935. Store hours Mon-Thursday, 8am-5:30pm, Fri-Sat 9am-5pm, Closed Sunday.
Specialty services: Free rapid curbside pickup and free delivery available.
Restaurants
The presence of confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 has been found in all 15 counties in Arizona. Because of this, the entire state is now subject to Governor Ducey’s restrictions on restaurant services. All food establishments are closed to dine-in sit-down services. Restaurants may, however, offer pick-up, delivery, or drive-through services. Many local eateries are continuing to provide food services this way. Some establishments have chosen to close for business entirely for the duration of the restricted period. Here we have listed the restaurants NOT operating at this time.
Be sure to check local restaurants’ social media pages, websites, or contact them by phone for information on menus and service options. Quite a few of Payson’s restaurants may be closed for in-house dining but are still operating Delivery and Pick-Up.
Restaurants that are operating at this time may be offering delivery, even if their business model usually does not under normal circumstances. Additionally, local food delivery service Cruisin’ Delights serves several local restaurants and can be reached by downloading their phone app in the Apple or Google Play stores, or online at www.crusindelights.com.