Updated March 29
Many local (and national) retail businesses are modifying their services to help customers during the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s a roundup of grocery, pharmacy, and restaurants in and around District 2. Note that many stores are warning of limited inventories and delivery delays due to higher demands.
Pharmacies
Walgreens says it’s teamed up with Postmate to start offering delivery of items including non-prescription medication. Theer is a delivery fee and you need to download the mobile app.
For prescriptions, they have a drive-through pharmacy at their Saxonville (School Street) store, as well as the Rte. 9 and Waverly Street locations in Framingham. Or, Walgreens Express offers next-day delivery for some prescriptions.
In addition, Walgreens is offering free shipping with no minimum order for conventional online orders.
CVS says they’re offering free delivery of medications “and everyday essentials” when you’re filling a prescription. Without a prescription, you can get orders delivered the same day using the paid Instacart service or free shipping on orders of $35 or more. However, recently the Water Street location said free prescription delivery wasn’t available.
Groceries
Whole Foods has free 2-hour delivery for Amazon Prime members, but delivery slots are very difficult to find – and you need to go through your entire ordering process before checking if delivery is available. They’re also allowing shoppers age 60 and over to shop in the store every day in the hour before new, regular store openings. That’s 7 to 8 a.m. in Framingham and 8 to 9 .m. in Sudbury.
Roche Brothers Sudbury (a.k.a. Sudbury Farms on Rte 20) is offering curbside pickup service, although slots are extremely tough to find. In theory, you can order online at https://Shopping.RocheBros.com and then drive to the designated pickup area. They were offering one free curbside pickup with the promo code CURBSIDE. Plan ahead, since it may be several days before a time slot is available if at all. Stores are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; seniors / those with disabilities can shop daily from 7 to 8 before regular opening.
Stop & Shop continues to offer its Peapod next-day delivery service. Minimum order is $30 and delivery fees range from $2.95 to $9.95. Curbside pickup has been suspended. Shoppers age 60+ and those with compromised immune systems can shop in store every day during special hours 6 to 7:30 a.m.
Wegmans offers curbside pickup or home delivery. Prices are higher for items ordered online for curbside pickup than they are for in-store shopping, although there’s no extra curbside pickup fee (and they say not to tip). Time slots are limited for both curbside pickup and delivery, so plan ahead. Delivery is via the pay-extra Instacart service.
Retailers with Grocery Sections
Target offers same-day delivery that appears to include some perishable items, but it warns that many orders may be unavailable or delayed. I didn’t see price information without actually ordering. First hour each Wednesday is reserved for shoppers 65+, pregnant women, and those with health conditions making them at higher risk. You can choose curbside pickup from the Target app. Framingham store confirmed last week via phone that curbside is available there.
Walmart has suspended next-day delivery (although the Web site says it’s coming back soon). Conventional online orders are still available for shipping. Neither appears to include perishables. People 60+ can shop Tuesday mornings during the hour before regular store openings, which appears to be 6 to 7 a.m. Regular hours are now 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
BJs BJs in Framingham has same-day delivery including groceries - including some perishables - as well as free same-day pickup, although pickup has to be done in the store at the Membership Services Desk. They are offering one free grocery delivery of $35 or more through April 15 with the code BJS20SPRING through Instacart. BJs membership required.
Restaurants
If you’re financially able, this is a great time to try to support local restaurants, which have been severely hurt by the ban on in-restaurant dining. Below is a table with info on District 2 restaurants from their websites regarding takeout and delivery. For most up-to-date information, contact the restaurant, as situations are very changeable.
Among the latest updates: Saxonville Cafe & Roastery remains open for takeout. They have an app available, and they say delivery is coming soon via DoorDash and Uber Eats.
Many other restaurants in Framingham and Sudbury are offering delivery to District 2. Downtown Framingham Inc. is maintaining a list of downtown restaurants takeout and delivery. Doordash is offering free first delivery for some local restaurants including Bertuccis, Da Vinci Bistro in Sudbury, and Uno; while GrubHub delivers from a large number of local restaurants.
## Warning: package 'glue' was built under R version 3.6.3See other coronavirus-related resources at Senate President Karen Spilka’s website.
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