As many large businesses are closing their doors due to the unexpected and overwhelming pandemic, small businesses have learned to be strategic in how they are delivering their services.
From curbside pick-up to contactless delivery, these business owners have “beat” the upheaval of the pandemic and even garnered more customers than ever before. Here are some examples of local businesses who upped their COVID game:
While in house services were prohibited during the first phase of the emergency orders, DeeVa Spa created “Care Packages” and delivered them to the client’s home, while practicing safe distancing and sanitizing of products. In these packages, clients received items that would give them the at-home spa experience. While focusing on current spa clients, DeeVa was able to gain new clients just from this service alone.
If you haven’t heard about this little gem in the Oak Hills area, you’ve been missing out. This small initiative is a zero-waste alternative to household necessities such as hand soap, dish soap, body wash and more. Pre-pandemic, Rose Refillery would set up “Refill Stations” at other local small businesses such as The Brake Room. Customers could bring their empty and clean containers to a refill event and refill their favourite products, cutting down on unnecessary packaging. During COVID this wasn’t possible. To stay in the game, Rose Refillery started offering door refilling. Customers would place their orders, leave their clean, empty containers outside, and wait for the magic to happen. During a time when it was hard to get these necessities, this small business made sure you were covered!
Food Services
Some restaurants, bakeries and even local farmer’s market vendors were creative with how they could still make ends meet during this unprecedented time. By offer their goods online or social media, customers could order what they needed from deli items at Trenton Deli or fully cooked dishes from Catrena’s Cookery, and the items were made available for curbside pick-up or sent by contactless delivery. And who else was able to still get their fresh blooms from Blush Floral? Even though this is not a food service, Carrie’s flowers always bring a bright spot even in the darkest of days!
Many small businesses were finally able to get their business fully online. Some of these businesses were ones who relied on local markets and vendor events to make sales. But with everyone shopping online for the majority of the pandemic, these businesses were booming!
However, the most important aspect of all of this was the amazing community support many of these businesses received. While #shoplocal has been trending for a while now, this pandemic gave this movement the incredible boost it needed. While supporting small businesses is always important, I have to say that watching how this community supported its small local businesses, entrepreneurs and artisans, has given me a much deeper admiration for the area that I love to call home.
Thanks to all of you for showing me what the true meaning of “community” really is!
