Coronavirus chaos at local stores, Amazon heading to the mall

Costco, Target and Walgreens could hardly keep up with demand this week as shoppers stocked up on toilet paper, hand sanitizer, bottled water and massive amounts of food. Meanwhile, many stores and restaurants stood empty even as they implemented ever-more-stringent procedures for handwashing and disinfecting. When you do opt to shop and dine out in the weeks and months to come, consider giving some of your business to our locally owned stores and restaurants. They are facing an unprecedented challenge, and they will need our support to survive.

Editor’s note: On Monday (March 16th), Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced mandatory closings of bars, restaurants, movie theaters and gyms statewide. Restaurants may continue to offer drive-through, carry-out and food delivery. Grocery stores will remain open, as well pharmacies, banks and gas stations. More on the fallout in our next issue.

Coming soon to Westfield Montgomery mall: Amazon 4-Star, a see-it-in-person showroom full of trending and top-rated products. We toured one of these stores in SoHo and found an odd but intriguing mix of merchandise: books, kitchenware and home goods alongside tech, toys and random trending gift items. The 4-Star stores also offer the chance to test-drive audio equipment and Amazon devices like Alexa and Echo. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, pricing will be the same as you’d pay online. Non-members can pay more — or opt to join Prime as they’re checking out. Opening date TBD in the Nordstrom wing, where Furniture Place just closed.

A few more stores are on the move at Westfield Montgomery mall. Core has closed after a year-long run, and Destination Maternity will be gone in the next few weeks. Luggage Plus is now open near Nordstrom, Mattress Warehouse is relocating across the hall, and a new beauty store is taking over the old Kneipp space. As for the 7-Eleven opening, we’re now looking at late March.