Crossroads Shopping Center in Riverbank has several businesses that have been affected by the COVID-19 epidemic as others have as well throughout the Central Valley. The once lively shopping center has seen unprecedented closures and financial decline in just the past few weeks. However, a handful of businesses including Target, BevMo, Staples, Best Buy and Cold Stone Creamery have remained open although with modified business hours and new procedures.
Cold Stone Creamery Owner Sandeep Hans has seen a 60 to 70 percent dip in profits at the location in Riverbank as well as his other two locations at 3501 McHenry Ave. and 3801 Pelandale Ave. in Modesto. Although people are not able to go into the ice cream shop they are open for business and most items are available including custom cakes. The creamery not only has ice cream cakes, but they also have kid themed cakes, petite cakes, ice cream cupcakes, sandwiches, and signature pies along with their ice cream cones, waffle bowls, and sundaes. The business is open and guests are invited to order any signature creation or create their own or they can order online. They offer delivery as well as their curbside pickup.
“I am trying to keep employees on the payroll because a lot of the young kids live by themselves and have rent and what not,” added Hans. “We are following all the protocols. The employees wear gloves and everything is clean. So they can still come and enjoy ice cream or cakes.”
Hans has owned the Riverbank Cold Stone for about three years. Maybe as the weather warms up the Cold Stone will see more business as the community is encouraged to shop local.
Staples in Crossroads has temporary store hours and offer curbside order and online pickup. They have a sign posted thanking all healthcare, first responders, and essential workers.
Best Buy has added safety precautions for employees and customers by limiting the people that are in the store. They do offer delivery and curbside pickup for those that want to order online and pick up their merchandise at the store where an associate will bring it out to your car. The current hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Although BevMo is open they are only accepting in-store pickup and not allowing customers to browse or shop. Guests can shop online and place their order for in-store pickup or they can use DoorDash, Drizly and Instacart for deliveries. The associate at the store can also grab your selection for you but guests are not allowed to shop in the store itself.
Target has started a line outside the doors to limit how many customers are in the store at the same time. They also have markings on the floor as guidelines so people can follow the six feet social distance order. In a recent public notice they stated the following, “It’s important that our guests have enough space to shop safely and comfortably. So beginning April 4, Target will actively monitor and, when needed, limit the total number of people inside based on the store’s specific square footage. If metering is needed, a team member will help guests into a designated waiting area outside with social distancing markers, while others will guide guests inside the store and keep things moving quickly and conveniently. It’s another step to encourage social distancing, on top of the signage, floor decals and audio messages already in place at our stores.”
They will also be providing all their team members with face masks and gloves along with their extensive cleaning routine and Plexiglas partitions at checkout.
