HURLOCK, Md. - In one part of Dorchester County, residents say a simple grocery trip can take up to an hour, roundtrip, due to the lack of a supermarkets in the area surrounding Hurlock.
While the town has a Dollar General, locals say it’s only good for picking up a few quick items.
“If we need something and we forgot it, just the quick run to run out and get it,” said Tammy Simmons, a Hurlock resident.
But for full grocery shopping, it’s a different story. Many residents are forced to travel to Easton, Seaford or Cambridge.
“Easton, Seaford, or Cambridge for groceries. I don’t mind driving. I really don’t. But it is annoying,” said Meme Golladay, another Hurlock resident.
The lack of a local grocery store, some say, affects more than just convenience — especially in emergencies.
“It will help everyone travel and [have] convenience as far as not having to go so far, especially during like state of emergencies and snowstorms to try to get out and get essential things. That’s not in stock here,” said Wayne Simmons, husband to Tammy.
“Well, there’s a lot of people in this town that don’t have transportation, and people just have to go to the convenience store, and it’s, you know, whatever they have or come here is that there’s better options. There should be healthier options for people,” Golladay added.
Hurlock Mayor Charles Cephas said there were plans in motion to bring an Aldi grocery store to the town. Officials were in the process of submitting paperwork for federal funding when progress was halted.
“We’re all objectively trying to find ways and means so that this proportional package comes to life. And we were all on a roll until these things happen with the federal government,” Cephas said, referencing an executive order by President Donald Trump that put funding on hold.
The town has since gathered more than 400 signatures to demonstrate the community's need for a grocery store. Cephas said they are exploring changes to the town budget and seeking other funding opportunities to attract a supermarket to the area.
For now, residents wait — and drive — for their groceries.