On Thursday morning, a provincewide stay-at-home order went into effect, which, among other things, limits retail stores - including big box stores - to selling only essential items such as groceries, pharmacy items, and health care items.
Just before 9:30 this morning I went to the Orillia Costco to see what the changes would look like and how store staff and customers were adjusting to the new restrictions.
It was easy to get a front-row parking spot and there was no lineup of customers outside. It was extremely quiet in the store.
The first thing I noticed was plastic wrap draped over the jewellery and electronics sections. The mobile centre was still open, but a staff member told me it was by appointment only, and cell phone accessories were taken off the peg hooks.
While Costco does sell some home appliances, toys, and seasonal items, which were all non-accessible, the grocery portion of the store occupies much of the space, so the store still felt full.
The staff were still friendly and seemed cheery, much like a regular day. When I went to cash out, there was no line-up or any difference with the transaction process.
Orillia resident Ryan Kerr was shopping at the Orillia Costco this morning, and he was caught off guard when he saw the plastic wrap and boxes blocking customers from purchasing non-essential items.
“I actually forgot about the restrictions, so when I walked inside and saw everything boxed in I actually asked one of the people working here what’s happening,” he said.
“I forgot all about it. I came in for certain items that I couldn’t get, but I understand.”
Kerr says he is in agreement with the current stay-at-home order restrictions that should keep big box stores less busy over the next four weeks.
“Something had to happen. We can’t just let the small businesses close down and let no one have access to them, but let the big box stores still sell certain items,” he said.
“I see the value in these restrictions.”
Orillia Costco management declined to comment for this article.
Nearly three kilometres down the road at the Orillia Walmart, the parking lot was emptier than normal just after ten o’clock.
There was no line up outside, and inside the store, there was an eerie feeling. The shelves with non-essential items were taped or gated off, the aisles which are often full of marquee items were bare; the empty feeling was far more noticeable than it was at Costco.
Staff could be heard asking each other if they ever thought that they would see something like this at the popular store. While staff remained helpful and friendly, you could sense an uneasy and confused energy.
Jewellery, electronics, toys, and houseware items are all not accessible, however, at the far end of the store the garden centre and seasonal section remained open. Some items were taped off and others weren’t. For example, you could buy a barbecue, but you couldn’t buy outdoor dinnerware.
Like Costco, when I went to cash out there was no line-up, and the process wasn’t any different than prior to the new restrictions being put in place.
Rama resident Lois Smith says seeing an almost empty Walmart felt 'weird.'
“It was weird at first, but it’s a good thing,” she said.
“The shopping experience was excellent, I was able to get in, get my stuff, and get out.”
Smith believes the four-week stay-at-home order will produce promising results and it will get Ontario in a better position for the summer months.
“So many people were just out and about. Meanwhile, our cases are going up,” she said.
"Hopefully, now that we are in the lockdown we can get the shots into arms quicker, and hopefully, this month will help us.”
Orillia Walmart management declined to comment for this article.
