I hope you and your loved ones are doing well amidst this challenging and unsettling time. It’s no secret that this has been a trying time for so many of us, as we continue to navigate the complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic day by day.

The effects of the pandemic have been felt across the globe — including right here in our local business community. Small businesses are only as strong as the community in which they operate — and thankfully, ours is very strong. If you are looking for ways to support local businesses, there are plenty of ways to do so while we collectively ride the wave of this pandemic.

While still following the guidelines outlined by the CDC and our state and local officials, here are a few things you can do:

Buy Gift Cards to Use at a Later Date: Consider purchasing gift cards to be used for a future meal! Gift cards are also available at many local retail shops, breweries, coffee shops, salons and other businesses.

Sign Up for a Coffee Subscription: Support a local coffee shop and your caffeine habit by signing up for a coffee subscription, which means coffee beans will be delivered straight to your door! Many subscriptions give you the opportunity to personalize your delivery, including the type of coffee and frequency of shipments.

Shop for Produce from Local Farms + Providers: When shopping for produce every week, consider sourcing from a local farm — or a grocery store or farm stand exclusively selling locally grown produce. You might also look into local CSA programs!

Sign Up for Online Services + Classes: Many specialized businesses have switched over to virtual offerings, which means you can still access their services from your laptop. Sign up for online services and classes from local providers, including tutors, yoga studios, personal trainers, music teachers, therapists, cooking studios and more.

Send Food or Coffee to Hospitals: Consider sending food or coffee to area hospitals to show your gratitude to those on the front lines of the pandemic, including nurses, doctors and other medical staff — all while supporting local businesses.

Write Positive Online Reviews: This small gesture can go a long way in spreading positivity during this challenging time. Take a few minutes to write positive online reviews for your favorite businesses on Yelp, Google or Facebook.

Shop from Local Online Stores: While many businesses have closed their doors temporarily for health and safety reasons, many still offer online shopping for goods and services, which can help with the financial strain.

Share the Love on Social Media: While you may not be able to order takeout meals from every local restaurant that is offering it, you can still spread the word on social media — and it won’t cost you a dime. And who knows? Your post may be what inspires someone else to place an order!

Tip Generously: Many in the service industry, from baristas to servers, depend on tips to make a living. If you are able, consider leaving a generous tip whenever you order coffee to-go or takeout for dinner.

These are just a few ways you can help support our local businesses! Remember: we are all in this together.

Maplewood

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