DI to begin phased reopening
Jun 2, 2020, 1:00 PM | Updated: Jun 3, 2020, 5:34 am
Donations accepted by appointment only at DI Stores right now
SALT LAKE CITY — Deseret Industries (DI) will begin to reopen some of its stores beginning on June 1 according to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The nonprofit work training and thrift stores operated by The Church of Jesus Christ were closed on March 17 due to the coronavirus, but DI manager of operations Brent Palmer says they’ve taken the steps they need to reopen.
“We’re looking forward to reopening our stores so we can better serve our communities,” Palmer said.
“We have missed seeing our stores filled with shoppers and donors, and we’ve missed being able to work side by side with our associates.
“We are so grateful for everyone who has waited to donate, and we want to accept as many donations as possible. Donated items allow us to help the associates in our job-training program”
DI to reopen, what you need to know
Hours
According to the DI, as part of their phased reopening, they will operate on reduced hours from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Donations
The DI says that stores will now only accept donations by appointment only. You can schedule a time and see when a nearby store will be open at deseretindustries.org/reopen
The stores ask that anyone coming to donate items remain in their cars until it is their turn and encourage donors to wear a mask.
Management has said that donations made will now undergo a quarantine period.
They also say that they will no longer accept any donations of mattresses and box springs.
In the store
Deseret Industries say that they will be limiting the number of patrons in their stores to allow for social distancing.
In addition to social distancing measures, employees will wear gloves and masks, as well as sanitize shopping carts between use.
Fitting rooms, restrooms, and drinking fountains will also be closed temporarily.
During COVID
During the temporary closures, the DI says that some of their Utah locations participated in the Project Protect initiative to provide masks to healthcare workers. Some employees were also transferred to help work in bishops storehouses and Deseret Manufacturing locations. All those who worked for the DI continued to receive pay during the time of their closure as well.
