Last Updated on July 9, 2022 by
The supermarket is a busy place, even after hours. Depending on where you live and shop, many grocery stores have some kind of night-time operation to serve customers who work or live in areas with limited shopping options. These late-night operations usually involve either extended hours on certain days of the week, or the ability to check out and shop from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., once a week or every other week. But what if you’re at home sick when your favorite grocery store has an evening special? Or worse – what if your local grocery store doesn’t offer any evening services at all? Fortunately, finding the right answer isn’t that difficult. Even if you have no car, there are several ways to get quickly and efficiently answer these questions – no matter where you live!
Table of Contents
Check the Store’s Website
As strange as it may sound, the first thing you should do is check the store’s website. Most large grocery stores have a section dedicated to their shopping hours and services – usually accompanied by a handy store locator to help you find the nearest location. And yes, if the store’s website lists evening hours, you can bet they’re in effect at all stores. If you can’t find the information on the website, try Googling “[store name] hours”. Odds are you’ll find one of several online directories listing the hours of thousands of grocery stores across the country.
Call the Store’s Customer Service Number
Can’t find the information online? Give the store’s customer service line a quick call. Most large grocery stores have a dedicated customer service number you can call to get information about hours and available services. If you have a long-term disability or other health condition that makes it difficult to get around, you can also use this number to request special shopping assistance. Just expect to wait a little longer than usual. Due to a surge in calls from people with disabilities, many stores have a near-monthly holiday when the wait times are very long. But don’t be discouraged – nearly every store keeps track of these dates, and they’re often noted on their website.
Ride-Sharing Apps
If you don’t have a car, and you can’t find any information on the store’s website, give a ride-sharing app a try. Lyft, Uber, and Via all have wheelchair-accessible vehicles and several people who are trained to assist customers from their homes to stores and back. If you have a long-term disability and can’t drive, ride-sharing is probably your best option for getting to and from the store. Unfortunately, ride-sharing can be expensive – especially if you have to make a special trip just to get to the store. If this sounds like you, take a look at the next section.
Check the Store’s Facebook Page
Many grocery stores now have Facebook pages, where they post information about sales, coupons, and other services. While the content of these pages is usually specific to the store’s location and hours, they often have a small section at the top where they list when they’re open. Again, if you can’t find information on the store’s website, search for your store name and “Facebook” – you may find the information right away.
Drive to a Chain Restaurant
If you’re completely stumped and all other attempts to get information have failed, head to the drive-thru at a nearby chain restaurant. Nearly all fast-food chains have late-night drive-thru services, and some even offer special delivery services for customers who can’t leave their homes but still want to order food. Most of these restaurants have websites that list their operating hours, and many of them even have special buttons on their drive-thru menus for people who can’t drive.
Check your Mailbox
If you or your loved one has a long-term disability and can’t drive or find information online, there’s a very good chance your local grocery store has partnered with a grocery delivery service. ShopRite, Hy-Vee, Nugget, and Wegman’s are just a few of the big names offering grocery delivery in most parts of the country. Just go online and check the hours of delivery available in your area – and if you can’t find the information, call the store’s customer service line.
Conclusion
Now that you know where to look, finding out when your favorite grocery store is open should be as easy as pie! If you can’t find the information online, just pick up the phone, fire up your ride-sharing app, or hop in your car and go to a fast food restaurant nearby. No matter where you live or when you prefer to shop, it should be easy for you to get to the store and get back home again.
