Alan Armstead, 49, of Kelso works a late-shift job at
Weyerhaeuser, putting him on a slightly different schedule than
most people.

At 4 am, Armstead likes to hit the grocery store on the way
home. His particular favorite is the open-all-night Safeway on 15th
Avenue in Longview.

This is the one on my way home, so this is the one I shop at,
he said, mulling over a short list topped by garbage bags.

Armsteads tried grocery shopping during regular business hours
and finds that he prefers the middle of the night. He summarizes
his daylight experiences at one local food store as combat
shopping.

He has company at 4 am, but its rarely other shoppers.

Even though the stores shelves are straightened up and
restocked overnight, its quiet enough to hear the freezers humming
inside and the squeaky wheels of a cart being pushed across the
parking lot outside.

For Armstead, its prime time. He recommends it to others who
dont want to deal with the crowds.

Jim Hall, store manager, said the store stays open to serves
customers coming in at odd hours. He said shift changes at St. John
Hospital help boost business in the late evening and early
morning.

Though 2 am to 6 am is usually a dead zone — its also the
period when the store doesnt sell alcohol — Hall said 10 to 15
customers still come through and that closing the store for four
hours while the night crew is there anyway isnt worth the
trouble.

Tags : Shopping
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