Since the Covid pandemic officially hit roughly a month ago, people everywhere have been stocking up on anything and everything. This mad rush has left grocery stores all over Denver short on all sorts of home necessities. Locally, Target and the Eastbridge King Soopers have continually been out of items including and not limited to cereal (wtf), meat, baking goods, and yes, most paper products. While Stapleton residents continue to patron these stores. “I mean, unless you want to drive all around Denver, you just need to stick with what we have, right?” asks Eastbridge resident Terry Kongshaug. “You keep going and hope you get lucky at stocking time.” Resident Jodi Houston feels the same way. “It’s really frustrating, but it’s not like I’m going to leave Stapleton. And, really Target and the Eastbridge Soopers are really the only options right now.”
But, they’re not. There is another King Soopers in “old” Stapleton on Quebec. Residents simply stopped going there when the new Soopers opened in Eastbridge. “I assumed that one closed down,” said Tracey Carney. “They’re still in business?” Westerly Creek resident Erin Larson at least knew it was still a functioning grocery store. “I know it’s there. I just refuse to go there.” Store manager Gary Stevens says the store is very much still in business. “We are fully stocked and ready for any and all comers,” said Stevens. Stevens says the store has seen a slight influx during the pandemic, but nothing that has caused any shortages. “The customer increase is de minimis. You would have to run the numbers to notice it with the eye.” Stevens says he hopes more residents will begin going to his store once they realize they are still in business. “We would love to see your covered faces in our store any time. We have everything you need.” Except, of course, a good reputation.