A lot of small, local businesses are struggling right now and need our support. Additionally, now that we are all either social distancing or quarantining, we have a lot more time around the house. This can be hard, especially given the uncertainty all around us right now, so it is important that we find healthy ways to cope and look for the positives where we can find them. This means taking care of ourselves by staying healthy, active, connected, and mentally stimulated while we are in this period of distancing.
Many of our favourite local businesses are switching to online services and home delivery to keep them afloat during this pandemic, and our support is needed now more than ever. So whatever it is that you need to help you get through this time, whether that’s a stack of good novels, some comfy new clothes, your favourite food and drinks, or a fun new fitness class, think about putting your dollar towards helping out these local businesses. Another great way to support your favourite businesses at this time is to buy gift cards.
Arts and Entertainment
During this time, consuming art and entertainment is incredibly important for our mental health. We are currently bombarded by news, and while it is essential to stay informed, it is also essential to escape now and again!
Massy Books is a beloved Indigenous-owned independent bookstore located in Vancouver’s Chinatown. Massy’s storefront is currently closed, but they are offering free book delivery right to peoples’ doors in Metro Vancouver. Massy has a huge selection, including many local authors.
Neptoon Records, Main Street’s celebrated record store, is doing neighbourhood delivery and selling records by pickup. What better way to increase the ambience in your home than with some new vinyls?
Health and Fitness
Keeping fit and active can be tough when you’re stuck at home, but luckily lots of local fitness studios are switching to online classes. Staying active is necessary for a healthy body and mind, so make sure you keep moving.
Formation Studio, an inclusive, beginner-friendly dance studio located in Mount Pleasant, is currently hosting online dance classes by donation on Instagram Live and Facebook Live and will be making full, high quality classes available on their website as soon as possible. Formation offers three different types of classes: a dance-based cardio fitness class, a strength and conditioning class rooted in dance movement, and a choreography class where you’ll learn a routine to a different song every time.
Yyoga is a popular yoga studio that offers hatha, flow, power, hot, and yin yoga. They are a great studio for beginners or seasoned yogis and offer a huge library of pre-recorded + live streamed classes
Lagree is a full body, high intensity, low impact workout. This is a great way to increase core strength and condition muscles you don’t often use. Now, you can take Lagree classes at home! Classes are all by donation. View the workouts here!
Retail
These local shops are now offering delivery so you can buy what you want and support small businesses that are struggling right now, all without leaving your home.
Hey Jude sells clothing, handcrafted candles, home decor, bath and beauty products, and more.
Now that many of us are working from home, it means we’re wearing a lot of jeans. Dutil sells comfortable, stylish denim and other apparel. Their storefront is currently closed but their online shop is full of great stuff.
Old Faithful has closed its store-front for the time being and are working hard to fill online orders quickly while using stringent sanitizing procedures. Old Faithful sells an array of unique housewares, personal grooming and bath products, books, and more.
Food and Drink
Vancouver is a city with a ton of delicious food and drink, and lots of them are currently operating on a delivery-only or pickup basis.
Another Beer Co. is offering delivery of their craft beers, and if you check out their social media you’ll find some fun stuff like pub trivia nights hosted on Facebook Live!
Most local breweries are offering delivery right now, so if you’re craving your favourite craft beer, odds are you can get it delivered to your door!
Look, things are a little stressful right now and we really need some ice cream. Rain or Shine makes homemade ice cream in gourmet flavours that change with the season in both dairy and vegan varieties. They are currently offering delivery and pickup and giving 10% of all sales to the Vancouver Food Bank.
The Alley was a favourite bubble tea stop for Think Profits employees when we were working together in our office downtown, and lucky for us, now that we’re working remotely, The Alley is delivering bubble tea right to our doors! Try the Trio Milk Tea.
Uber Eats and DoorDash are currently supporting Vancouver businesses by offering free delivery for local restaurants so you can order from all your favourite hangouts. Craving a particular meal from your favourite restaurant? Stay home, stay safe, and order it to come to you.
Can We Help?
Is your business struggling at this time? We are currently offering free consultation on how to set up your digital workspace in order to make the transition to online services simpler for businesses in our community.
