10 January 2021
4 Simple Ways Support Local Ottawa Businesses During The Lockdown
Continued support of local Ottawa businesses is essential to keeping our communities thriving. Without them, we lose jobs, our economy suffers and the neighbourhood vibes change.
We are all struggling with the ongoing changes of lockdown and financial impact in our own families. Being conscientious of how our buying decisions can help sustain a healthy community is and area families is important to take into consideration when we are looking for products and services. If we can support local rather than the big multinationals, it is better in the long run for all of us.
They are an essential part of a functioning and vibrant community and have been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Below are a few ways to support them both in financial and non-financial ways.
ORDER TAKEOUT OR CURB-SIDE PICKUP FROM LOCAL RESTAURANTS!
We have heard a lot about restaurants. The hospitality industry is massive in Ottawa and is one of the most hard hit. Continue to support your favourite local restaurants, bakeries, food industry businesses by ordering during the lockdown.
Many have been able to pivot and offer other ways of enjoying their food. Take-out or curb-side pickup of course is the best way and if really stuck you can use the third party delivery companies. Be aware that it helps the establishment more if you pick up. Some are even offering pre-made meal plans.
You can find out what many of them are doing currently check on the I Love Ottawa Restaurants Facebook page as well as on their Best Ottawa Restaurants directory
SHOP LOCAL ONLINE, ORDER CURBSIDE PICKUP OR SHOP BY APPOINTMENT
Retailers are still here to help you without you having to order from Amazon or any other of the big conglomerates. They are still paying rent and salaries and you can get your purchases rapidly once you have ordered.
Many of the local retailers have added online ordering and some even have shopping by appointment. Consider checking out what your local shops have available before you go to the bigger corporations. Many have come up with creative ways to keep serving you during this pandemic. Buying from local vendors is always a great choice.
ASK SERVICE PROVIDERS IF THEY DO VIRTUAL MEETINGS & SUPPORT
Businesses that require consultations are doing a lot via streaming services like Zoom. Insurance companies, counsellors, lawyers, even designers. One floral show has even started doing online classes. You can read about Flowers Talk Tivoli here.
TALK ABOUT LOCAL VENDORS ON SOCIAL
Lastly, since we are all using our phones all the time.
- Take pictures and share them online giving a shoutout to the places you do do business with.
- Leave them awesome reviews on Facebook, Yelp, Tripadvisor and more. Do a virtual checkin on Facebook.
- When your friends ask for recommendations, be sure to tag the business online when you do so.
- Use hearts on Facebook over thumbs up.
- Leave comments on their postings.
- If you have a poor experience, rather than sharing it across the web, call and speak to the owner. Owners are engaged with making sure they offer the best possible service to their customers and want to know about it. We all have bad days. This pandemic is hard on everyone. There is no need to destroy someone’s livelihood with public shaming.
This only takes a few extra seconds to do this, but word of mouth on social media goes a far way to spreading the news about businesses.
SUPPORT OTTAWA BUSINESSES
https://MyLocalOttawa.com