Store has new ‘Senior Early Bird’ shopping hour
North Elm Butcher Block owner Daniel Puza Jr. stands in front of a full meat case in the North Elm Street store March 19, 2020. (HOPE E. TREMBLAY/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
WESTFIELD – North Elm Butcher Block is stocked and staying open for customers.
Owner Daniel Puza Jr. said late last week that he wants to make sure the community has food, whether it’s by purchasing it in his store or at a restaurant.
Puza said he regularly works with a few local restaurants to supply them with food each week, but since the coronavirus pandemic and the shut-down of restaurants other than for takeout, he is helping other establishments in a variety of ways.
“We’re all working together and supporting each other,” he said.
Puza is making sure, to the best of his ability, that he has plenty of staples on-hand.
“We have eggs and milk, ground beef, boneless chicken – we are trying to keep as much as we can available,” said Puza.
Puza’s eight employees have been providing service to nearly 1,000 customers each day in the past week, and he said he is proud of them.
“We are taking phone orders, offering curbside pickup if people pay on the phone . . . my staff has really stepped up,” he said.
Puza said the health and safety of his staff and customers are a priority and everyone is working to keep the store clean while keeping up with the demand.
They are also cognizant of social distancing and are keeping the number of customers and staff in the store at one time to 10 people.
Puza said for the North Elm Butcher Block family, it’s about being loyal and giving back.
“Our customers have supported my family for four generations, and we want to be there for them,” he said.
North Elm Butcher Block is open normal hours, for now, Thursday-Tuesday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., with the exception of an additional “Senior Early Bird” hour from 8-9 a.m. for older adults only.
