Thu, 04/29/2021 - 3:34pm meganj By: John Flowers JENNIFER SHAFER-STOCKER, co-owner of Shafer’s Market & Deli in Middlebury, works the counter at the College Street business earlier this week. She and family members are having to work longer hours while cutting store hours because they — like many other businesses in the county and statewide — can’t find enough employees. Independent photo/William Haig It’s gotten ugly. There is an absolute dearth of job applicants (particularly cooks), and, as a result, many of our competitors … are unabashedly hiring other restaurants’ employees. This is unheard of. — anonymous local business owner MIDDLEBURY — Only 14 months ago, Shafer’s Market & Deli at 54 College St. in Middlebury was a no-fail stop pretty much any time of the morning or evening if you needed a sandwich, gallon of milk, soda, pizza and other indulgences.