While the coronavirus pandemic has inflicted massive losses for many businesses, one area of retail that has surged has been grocery stores and the First Coast has reflected that trend into the holidays.
That increase in business isn’t solely because of a slick marketing campaign by grocers. It is due in large part because grocery stores have become essential businesses. Many people who aren’t going many other places see the retail food outlets as more akin to a public service than just places to get food.
“As soon as COVID hit, grocery stores became the No. 1 place people went to consume meals versus a fast, casual restaurant,” said Aaron Gottlieb, owner of Native Sun Natural Foods Market on North Third Street in Jacksonville Beach.