WILMINGTON — With widespread power outages across the region, most grocery stores have remained closed, and supplies are running low for many who stayed behind. At least two Wilmington-area Harris Teeter locations have re-opened, but it’s not your regular milk run.
At the Harris Teeter near the UNCW campus, located at 820 S. College Road, the parking lot was full, spilling over into the shuttered Dick’s Sporting goods lot next store, as well as onto the curb. A line to enter stretched around the building — some hopeful customers said they had been waiting for about an hour to get into the store; many said they’d heard the store was open from friends, or on social media.
Wilmington Police Department officers on the scene said that, though the store was exceptionally crowded, the re-opening had been uneventful.
Inside, shelves were partially stocked. Store management said the location had not received a shipment since before Hurricane Florence made landfall, so many of the items people stocked up on before the storm were in short supply, especially canned goods and non-perishables.
The store was able to take electronic payment, although cards were being run as credit only.
A second Harris Teeter, in Oak Landing shopping center in Porters Neck is also open, according to Harris Teeter’s online re-opening page.
According to Harris Teeter Spokesperson Danna Robinson, “Harris Teeter worked diligently prior to the storm putting plans into place to mobilize our resources and valued associates, so we could get back into our communities as quickly and as safely as possible. We recognize the importance of providing our neighbors access to food, supplies and medication during times of uncertainty following events like this.”
Robinson added, “We understand there are concerns regarding standing water on the roadways; community members should follow the direction of the state and local officials in that regard when planning to venture out into the community.”
Robinson couldn’t say when other stores would be opening, or how long these two stores could remain open with limited supplies. Port City Daily will continue to update this story.
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