We’ve seen the photographs of the long lines both inside and outside the supermarkets in the U.S. as people stock up for “hunkering down” (what is being called “restate a casa” or “stay at home” here).
Groceries are among the few stores that are open throughout Italy during the novel coronavirus outbreak. Of course in big cities, there are large grocery stores, but here in small-town Cortona, there are just a few very small groceries.
The grocery that we frequent is Molesini Market, a genuine “mamma e papa” business, run by, you guessed it, the Molesini family. We’ve always shopped there in the previous times we’ve been in Cortona and it is especially convenient in that the apartment we’re renting is about 60 feet from the store’s front door.
Molesini Market is perhaps 25 feet by 15 feet and includes a full deli, a selection of some meats, wines, beers, pasta (of course), household items and pretty much all anyone would need to cook meals at home – all in a space of under 400 square feet.
Because the space is so small, and because the Italian government has mandated that everyone should stay “un metro” (one meter) apart from one another, the store has established a policy of only 3 people inside at one time. So… lines develop. The most I’ve seen is perhaps 6 or 7 people, but typically it’s just 2 or 3.
With everything else closed, it’s just about the only place we go.
I suppose you’re not there long enough to join their wine club. 🙂
Of course I am!