The Bainbridge Island Review site has lifted the paywall on this developing story to provide readers with critical information. To support vital reporting such as this, please consider a digital subscription (https://www.bainbridgereview.com/subscribe/).

Life at Bainbridge Island’s most prominent gas station and convenience store, the Hungry Bear Market and Chevron on High School Road, continues in the wake of Governor Jay Inslee’s Monday directive regarding business closures and social distancing, albeit slightly adjusted.

Starting Wednesday, cash will no longer be accepted and the store’s public restroom will be closed, according to manager Hannah Ridge.

Also, the store will now be open for the reduced business hours of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. only.

The change in hours is more to promote social distancing among staff and customers than an indicator of business, Ridge explained.

“Our sales haven’t been dramatically affected,” she said Tuesday. “We’re trying to adjust everyone’s hours so they weren’t losing many of their hours, but we are going to stop taking cash starting [Wednesday].”

The market’s resident restaurant, Jake’s Pickup, is also making adjustments in light of the ongoing spread of COVID-19.

According to a message posted to Facebook late Monday, “As we so sincerely care about your health and well-being as much as our staffs, we will not be offering hot food off the griddle or coffee until it is safe to come out and play.”

According to the post, owners Jake and Kristi Angel , “are following the governor’s rules and social distancing ourselves from everyone.”

“The two of us will load the grab-and-go coolers as long as we have product to sell. The Brown Bear has adjusted the store hours, and we plan on being there when the Brown Bear is closed. This way we can load the coolers and not be in contact with anyone.”