By Kathy Chouteau
Just in time for spring, Richmond’s Annie’s Annuals & Perennials has announced it remains open during California’s shelter-at-home order. The 2.5 acre plant nursery is open to customers from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and offers a welcome escape for those seeking some precious outdoor time.
Located at 740 Market Ave. in Richmond, Annie’s is exempt from closure under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order due to its designation as an agricultural business. But that doesn’t mean the popular destination for gardeners is taking coronavirus (COVID-19) precautions lightly.
“We’re doing everything we can to keep our employees and customers safe,” said Annie’s Annual & Perennials in a statement. “Our large, open-air environment easily allows for 3-6 ft. of social distancing and is filled with naturally disinfecting sunlight.”
According to Annie’s, they have trained employees companywide on maintaining a safe workplace, protecting themselves and reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission “by washing their hands regularly, not touching their faces during their shifts…and not coming to work when they—or anyone in their family—is sick.”
Aside from asking its staff and customers to maintain social distancing of 3-6 ft., it’s also taking additional precautions such as regularly cleaning carts and other frequently touched surfaces and providing hand washing stations and easy access to hand sanitizer.
Annie’s checkout area has also been roped off to create proper social distancing, per its statement. The nursery is offering signature-free checkout for those with chip cards to curtail the need for touching iPads or card-readers at checkout. Receipts for purchased plants and other items can also be emailed instead of printed. The nursery is currently not accepting cash or check transactions at this time.
Annie’s offers online ordering by phone at 1.888.266.4370 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST. To virtually peruse the wide variety of plants available at the nursery, or to order online at any time, click here.
