“Things are certainly different,” said Jon Dittmann, store manager at Tadych’s EconoFoods in Houghton. “By default, we have noticed more people eating at home which obviously is good for us.”

He noted that while turkeys and ham are the most popular items purchased over these last eight weeks, there has been nothing else that has been cleared off the store shelves.

“We haven’t had another toilet-paper scare,” he said with a smile.

Dittmann added that the reaction from customers as to how his store has handled the COVID crisis varies.

Adam Niemi/Daily Mining Gazette Missy Goulette, of Bootjack, prepares an order at The Flower Shop on Wednesday in Hancock.

“We will get some customers upset that we, and grocery stores in general, are still open because of the crowds,” he said. “On the other end of the spectrum, we have customers who couldn’t be more excited we are open. They are happy that we are following (COVID) protocol and it’s worked.

“We have not had any COVID cases here at the store.”

Just down the road at Swift’s True Value, manager Leanne Weeks tells a similar story.

“In the age of COVID, we are very blessed to have a community who is so supportive,” Weeks said. “Truly we have had an outpouring of support from the community and we have been very busy. It’s a good problem to have.”

While she has experienced some supply chain issues with some of the stores imports, customers have thanked her for continuing to have the stuff that has made Swift’s unique in its 151-year history.

Adam Niemi/Daily Mining Gazette Barry Elizabeth Fink, of Houghton, shops at Tadych’s EconoFoods on Wednesday in Houghton, Mich

At Surplus Outlet, on Shelden Avenue, respect has been the name of the game during this strange shopping season.

“Everybody has been very respectful of wearing their masks,” said co-owner Barb McRea. “We have had great local support. People are excited to support local. They know it’s here and they can walk out with a product.”

At the Flower Shop in Hancock, flower orders have been tough to keep up with, according to owner Missy Goulette.

“With people not being able to get out and travel, they are sending flowers instead,” she said. “We have been swamped this year with arrangements and sending things out. If they cannot make it to a family function, they are sending flowers to be there in spirit.”

She added that another perk over the last few months is a lot of folks have discovered her shop for the first time.

“People are out and shopping small businesses,” she said. “They come here and say, ‘I didn’t know you were here.’ So to add new customers has been an added bonus.”