Seven days a week, Miles Farmers Market is here to serve, fully stocked with fresh options

By Laura Briedis

During this pandemic, it is not just the doctors and nurses on the frontlines helping us. Grocery store workers have also become unlikely heroes. While most retail stores have closed, grocery stores are busier than ever, with consumers stocking up on food during stay-at-home orders, restaurant closures and kids home 24/7.

“Miles Farmers Market remains open seven days a week, and we are doing everything we can to serve the community,” says store manager Justin Golobek.

“We are working overtime and have hired additional employees whose only job is to constantly wipe down cash registers, shopping carts, door handles and other surfaces throughout the day and overnight.”

In the nearly 50 years that the market has been open, the owners have never seen times like these. But it is these five decades of experience that they are now drawing upon to get us through these unprecedented times.

“We have plenty of staples in stock at Miles, including meat, bread, eggs and milk, as well as an extensive selection of grocery items,” says Justin. “Our customers have relied on us for the freshest food selection in town for years and we have built a strong food supply chain consisting of local farmers and national food companies.”

While the self-serve stations and free coffee bar are temporarily closed, the meat, deli and bakery departments are bustling.

“We were busy for Easter and Passover and made adjustments to help accommodate shoppers who were having smaller gatherings this year,” says Justin, noting the butchers prepared quarter hams in addition to half and whole hams, as well as smaller cuts of beef brisket.

The store is also taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of its employees and customers, such as suspending the use of reusable bags, installing plastic shields at the registers, and encouraging social distancing by using every other register.

The store has also set aside Monday through Thursday, from 9 to 10 a.m., to allow senior citizens, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems to shop.

“We thank everyone for honoring this request and working together until things return to normal,” says Justin.

Miles Farmers Market is located at 28560 Miles Road in Solon. Store hours have been modified to 9 a.m.-6 p.m. until further notice. Visit MilesFarmersMarket.com for store details.