DISCLAIMER: First and foremost, please know that your safety is extremely important and by no means are we telling you to to not follow the advice given by the CDC.
Now, let’s get down to it. Something scarier than the virus itself is the impact its going to have on local businesses. With “social distancing” in mind, there are still ways that you can support local.
Delivery or To-go. Many downtown restaurants already partner with local food delivery services. If they do not, give the restaurant a call and see if they are offering curb-side pick up options.
Online shopping. Many of our downtown retailers offer online shopping and free local pick-up. Stores like J&M are even offering free shipping right now. If your favorite retailer does have a website, than be sure to follow them on Instagram. Many will share their inventory and allow you to order it by phone.
Gift Cards. Everyone loves a gift card. Hey, grab one for yourself now, too. Buying a gift card now and using it later is a great way to keep the cash flow going without compromising your safety.
Avoid the crowds. It is recommended that we try to avoid groups of 50 or more people. If you are wanting to get out of the house and still want to play it safe, shop at 10 am when stores first open or grab lunch an hour earlier than normal.
Outdoor dining. Many downtown restaurants have outdoor dining options. With this nice weather, we can’t think of a better time to dine outside. If there are no outdoor options, grab it to go and enjoy a picnic lunch on Samford Lawn.
Support them from home. Engage with them on social media. Like their posts. Share their posts. Share photos of your online purchase or the dinner you just had delivered.