Grygla’s essential businesses remain open, although some operate quite differently

Grygla has a handful of businesses that are still up and running, deemed essential. Though some of these businesses are operating a bit different these days. Take a look at some of them below for information on their hours, what has changed/what has stayed the same, and other information that is of interest to you.

Grygla Coop Store

The Grygla Coop Store is currently open Monday through Saturday, 7am-6pm. They have made the decision to be closed on Sundays through April, or until the Coronavirus issues change. Employees are still maintaining their regular work hours, except for one employee who has an underlying health issue and can’t risk the chance of being exposed. When asked what has changed and/or been affected at the store throughout all this, owners Randy and Janelle McMillin stated, “There has been a lot of inconsistency in getting products into the store. Our distributors cover a five-state region and have put a limit on what they deliver to us depending on what they have in stock at their warehouse. Prices on a few products, such as hamburger, eggs, ice cream, toilet paper, and some produce items have increased due to shortages in the supply chain.”

The McMillins want to stress that if people have traveled out of the surrounding area, please do not enter the store until you have completed a 14-day quarantine period. As for precautionary steps the Coop is taking to the COVID-19 threat, employees are continually disinfecting grocery carts, door handles, cooler and freezer handles, and countertops. They have begun offering curbside pickup or home delivery for people who are uncomfortable going inside the store. Employees are wearing gloves and soon expect to be wearing masks. In the near future, they may also be asking customers to wear masks while they are in the store.

Looking forward to the next month or so, the McMillins commented, “As the threat of COVID-19 increases in Minnesota, we will have to become more stringent about how many people can be in the store at one time, or may have to offer only curbside pickup or home delivery to protect our employees and customers.  We are already hearing that the supply chain is being filled and we hope that the prices will soon be more reasonable.”

Beings we are on the subject of the Grygla Coop, it also seems “essential” to mention that Randy and Janelle McMillin have now owned the store for a year! It seemed like a good time to chat about their first year. Take a look!

Did your first year go as expected? “We really didn’t know what to expect when we bought the Co-op, but we definitely knew there was a need for it to remain open. People in the Grygla community and surrounding area have proved they need and want a store. We have kept our full-time employees and added a few part-time employees. With the addition of the off-sale liquor store, as well as the hardware, the Co-op will be able to survive with continued community support.”

What have been some of the high points? “We have increased our monthly inventory purchases in the grocery section by nearly 20 percent. We have also added inventory and set up a new layout on the grocery side, as well as opening an off-sale liquor store. We hope to begin a transformation in the hardware, which is taking more time than expected. One of the best high points was having an elderly lady tell us that she could no longer drive very far, so her one freedom was still being able to drive to Grygla and shop at the Co-op.”

What have been some of the challenges? “The biggest challenge has been learning the retail business itself and putting in the extra hours to bring in the groceries, stock the shelves, and keep up on the cleaning of the store. I am also finding that I need to spend more time at my farming occupation than I did last year.”

Has it become like second nature or is it still a learning experience? “The daily operation is getting to be more routine, but we learn something new every day.”

In conclusion, the Grygla Coop wanted to thank its customers for their support over the past year, adding, “We realize even more than before that the fate of the Grygla Co-op is strictly going to be up to the people in the community. Without their patronage, it would be impossible to keep this service available in our small town.”

Machinewell, Inc.

Machinewell is carrying on with business as usual. Their shop operates on 2 shifts, 10 hours a day, 4 days a week. Per the Minnesota Critical Business List, Machinewell is deemed “critical” or as most know it “essential” due to their industry code. In fact, 95% of their annual sales are essential. A few of those they provide essential support to include: Pharmaceutical, Food and Agriculture, Medical, Public Safety, First Responders, Public Works, Emergency Equipment, Gov’t Defense and many more.

Including part-time workers, Machinewell has over 60 employees with everyone still working their same hours as before the pandemic. 

What has stayed the same for the company throughout all of this? Job security. Even through a pandemic, the work remains at their front door with employee Tonia Haack stating, “It’s great to be able to support those at the front lines.”

What has changed/been affected? Haack says, “We have seen some slow downs with the fitness and recreational industries that we support, to be expected with the “Shelter in Place” order. It has only caused us to rearrange the work that remains and on the lighter side of things maybe it will give our employees more time over the warm summer months to enjoy the weather. We are typically moving into heavy over-time season shortly and the current pandemic might give that some relief.”

As far as steps taken as a precaution to the COVID-19 threat, Machinewell has required all outside personnel not to enter the building, such as delivery truck drivers & sales reps, as well as a “do not enter” for all civilians. Haack added, “We do have signs posted on all of our walk-in doors to call-in for assistance. We have enforced the social distancing where necessary. Due to the nature of our business, we had already been following that guideline on the shop floor, but instead of face to face meetings, we have been conducting more internal business via email & phone, when possible. We have increased the amount of sanitizing commonly touched surfaces. We caught wind of some local companies requiring a temp check for anyone entering, we’re not to that level yet but are prepared for anything.”

In conclusion, Machinewell offered the following statement: “Although this pandemic can get a person’s fears going, we would like to thank our employees for standing strong with the company, trusting us to help keep you safe and making the effort to be here every day. It absolutely can’t be done without every one of them.”

American State Bank

What are your business hours looking like right now?

Regular Monday through Friday, 8:30am-3pm, along with Wednesday evenings from 4-6pm. 

Is the bank open or locked? Limited access to the facilities. Front and rear vestibules are open, however, final entrance to the lobby will require completion of a brief screening questionnaire and a bank employee to allow customer access. One customer at a time. If you can, please call prior to arrival. 

Customers are encouraged to access accounts and conduct transactions electronically, anytime, anywhere, with any device through Online and Mobile Banking, Bill Pay, and Mobile Check Deposit.  The Night Deposit is also available. 

American State Bank employees are still working their regular hours for the most part and continue to follow CDC guidelines, which include trying to limit face-to-face interaction, while still providing customer service.

“American State Bank would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding. If we all work together, everyone will get through this difficult time,” President Bryan Grove reassured.

Farmer’s Union

Both the Farmer’s Union Cenex Station and Ag Department are open for business as usual with all employees still working their regular hours. 

Manager Brenda Mosher gave the following statement: “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are asking, if possible, that you make your payments by mail or by phone. Feel free to call the office if you have any questions about your bill. We are also urging our customers to respect the social distancing procedures that have been put into place. We understand that there are going to be purchased that need to be made, which will necessitate a trip into our store. All we ask is that after making your purchase, do not linger more than is necessary. For the time being, our business hours are remaining the same. However, we expect to be shortening the hours that we are open. Watch for notices in the Grygla Eagle or posted on our doors. We look forward to the day when we can all spend time visiting over a cup of coffee once again. Hopefully, that will be in our near future.”

Grygla Post Office

Currently, the Grygla Post Office has the same business hours as before with employees still working their same hours. Postmaster Megan Berg says business has been slow. “We aren’t getting as much mail as we normally do, but I do feel packages are up - meaning people are shopping a lot online,” she said. Berg added that sanitizing steps are being taken, along with a lot of hand-washing and just doing what they can do everyday. She added, “We’re giving it our best. We thank the customers for all their business. We have a great town and we need everyone’s support to make it through this.”

Food Service in Grygla

Diamonds Bar & Grill is open Monday through Saturday 12-7pm for takeout. The full menu is available. Owner Randy Stephen says that he’ll bring orders to the vehicle if customers feel more comfortable staying outside. He remarked, “I’m trying to remain optimistic that we will be open May 1st, but in reality, I am very concerned that this will last into or through the month of May. I would like to thank everyone for coming in and showing their support of our (new to us) business. We REALLY appreciate it and can’t wait to get back open and back to normal.”

Yo-Hawn’s Bar & Grill will be open only Fridays and Saturdays from 4-8pm. The full menu, along with evening specials, will be available for takeout or curbside pickup. The plan is to continue these hours through April, unless restrictions are lifted and things change. 

Fourtown Store & Tavern is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11am-6pm with the full menu available for takeout. Customers are still able to have access to the gas pumps and store inside.

Grain Bin Café is currently open Monday thorugh Saturday from 7:30am-5pm. Takeout orders with a full menu and a daily special are available. The café is still doing Senior Meals on Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays as takeout or curbside delivery. Homemade pizzas are available for customers to “take and bake.” Owner Kim Cleven mentioned that there is potential for delivery of senior meals if anyone is needing home delivery. In regards to this new way of operating, Cleven said, “We are taking one day at a time. I am so grateful for God’s promise that He will supply all my needs (Philippians 4:19). We will continue to serve our community in the days ahead.”