Photo: WDIO-TV

By Ryan Juntti of WDIO-TV - March 18, 2020

The COVID-19 outbreak has been especially hard for grocery stores, which are doing all they can to keep up with the demand.

While most of the shelves at the Miller Hill Super One Foods are well stocked, there are some areas where demand has exceeded supply.

Miner's Inc. Store Director Patrick Miner says there could be delays in restocking certain items, but insists they are working hard to keep up.

One of the items in high demand is toilet paper, so much so that there is now a limit on it.

"It's like a trickle effect. Everybody sees everybody else walking out with toilet paper, and then everybody starts walking out with toilet paper," said Stefan Stein of Duluth.

Shoppers are also only able to buy a certain amount of eggs and potatoes.

Super One is also shortening their hours, so that employees can properly clean and restock.

"Our team out here, we couldn't be more proud of them. They're working like crazy to continue to meet our customers'. We're continuing to do our best to keep our shelves full," said Miner.

Miner says he is giving all of his hourly employees $2 more per hour until April 4 to thank them for their hard work. 

"We realize it takes a huge team to be able to make this, and they're doing incredible work to be able to assist in this effort too," said Miner.

Super One is also looking for short and long term help during the COVID-19 outbreak. Miner says workers in the hospitality industry have reached out to them, looking for temporary employment.

"We need temporary help as well to be able to assist in this challenge, so we're certainly looking for help in all of our store locations," Miner said. 

Super One is asking customers to reserve the opening hour from 6:00 to 7:00 AM for the elderly, those with an impaired immune system, as well as healthcare staff and first responders.

Target will also now close at 9:00 to clean and replenish their stores, while Walmart is suspending its 24-hour schedule and instead closing every night at 11.

In this time of uncertainty, it takes a team to get through it.

"We're all in this together, so we gotta work together, and hopefully dive through this, and come out on the other end," said Stein.