Ames Today

As COVID-19 cases increase in Iowa, Story County residents are stocking up on supplies that they need during the crisis. However, department stores throughout the region are grappling to keep the shelves stocked.

The stores are also making attempts to keep everything sanitized amid the influx of shoppers visiting the shops daily.

Gov. Kim Reynolds told the Des Moines Register that she wants Iowans to "stay home." She also told residents to "hang in there," in an effort to encourage Iowans during the coronavirus crisis.

“You know, Iowans are scared and they’re nervous, and I appreciate that, but we’re going to get through it,” Reynolds said, her voice cracking. “If you keep doing what we’ve asked you to do, we will be back to those good days. So hang in there.”

An employee from the local Target told the Ames Tribune that the store is seeing more people coming through during the coronavirus crisis. Target says that due to all the people coming through, they are running low on supplies.

“It does seem like we are seeing more people coming through,” an Ames’ Target employee told the Tribune. “And, like everyone else, we are seeing low supplies.”

Target says it will start limiting the number of key items per purchase over the next few weeks. Target says the restriction is to “allow more guests to get what they need.”

Other retail stores like Walmart and Fareway stores are seeing a similar problem. Like Target, Fareway is running low on supplies.

Emily Toribio, outreach and communications manager for Boone-based Fareway Stores, told the Ames Tribune that the franchise takes pride in their customers' satisfaction. Toribio says that the stores are monitoring the situation closely.

“At Fareway, we take pride in treating our customers and employees like family, and we are focused on doing everything we can to keep families safe and healthy,” Toribio said. “At this time, we have activated appropriate internal protocols and continue to monitor the evolving situation.”