Supporting your local businesses during COVID19!

So, COVID19 has really changed the way we spend our time hasn’t it? This weird new normal seems like it’ll be sticking around at least for a little bit longer. Because of that I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to share some of the things I’ve been up to these days because, like most freelancers, my potential upcoming contracts dried up almost overnight. All of a sudden I found myself having more time on my hands than usual and I wasn’t sure what to do with it! The first very important thing I did was binge watch Tiger King. (#carolekilledherhusband)

The second actual important thing I did was look at my business and see what’s been working and what hasn’t. Spending time on my business vs. being in my business. Trying to think of ways I can still be useful somehow... While I was thinking of my work, I also realized there are a ton of independent business owners in my neighbourhood! My daily morning walks (while of course, keeping my 2 metre/6ft bubble around myself - Arruda and Legault would be proud!) really made me notice how many of them are still trying to serve our community by pivoting to delivery and/or take out only.

I decided I wanted to show these businesses that I still appreciated them! Since I can’t buy from every single one of them, I needed to figure out a way to show my support without money. I thought about it and I decided that I would mail them all a short small thank you card! Since I used to run Papyrus, I had amassed quite the collection of stationary. What better way to go through some of it than by letting my neighbourhood shops know how much I appreciate them.

These small businesses definitely need as much support from us as possible. The reasons our neighbourhoods have a personality, or a heartbeat, is because of these local shops! Verdun especially wouldn’t be the same without Copette & Cie, Audacieuse Vanille, or Game Keeper Verdun to name just a few. #verdunluv If, like me, you’re trying to figure out a way to give back to the community, I highly recommend when you need to do your essential shopping you say a sincere thank you to the person serving you that day. (Card giving is optional) Putting a smile on their face goes a long way to making sure we don’t lose what makes our neighborhoods special. If you’re in Verdun and want to #achatlocal /#buylocal, this Google Sheets doc has been created and it’s updated with what’s still open and serving the community Promenade Wellington also explains here. I hope all of you and your family are doing well and staying safe ! #washyourhands

Love,

Erin