Ways to Support Local Businesses

Businesses are facing incredibly difficult challenges as we all continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why it’s more important now than ever to support our Manchester small businesses.

• Here’s a list of local Manchester restaurants that are still open for takeout, curbside, and delivery.
• Here’s a list of local Manchester stores and their designated shopping times for at-risk groups. 
• Here’s a list of local Manchester businesses and their availability and services

Here are some ways we can all help, compiled by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

• Get it to go. Order from your local restaurants and bars via delivery service, to-go, or curbside pickup.
• Buy in advanced. Purchase gift cards or book series from local businesses to use at a future date. 
• Follow along. Your favorite local businesses are online and sharing specific ways you can support them.
• Shop small online. Websites haven’t closed and it’s important to leave positive reviews for local vendors and businesses.
• Stay looped in. Keep up with your memberships, and with services that are still offered online.
• Say thank you. Many business owners and workers are risking their health to provide critical products and services. Be thankful.

Here are some more tips on how to support our local businesses, compiled by Forbes.

• Many restaurants are offering delivery and pickup, but check for delivery options at places other than restaurants. Your local toy store, flower shop, bookstore or clothing boutique may not have their usual storefront, but many are providing delivery or curbside pickup.
• Buy gift cards or credit for later from your favorite restaurants, stores, hair salons, spas, childcare providers and hardware store.
• Share local restaurant delivery menus on your social media pages
• Check with the businesses you frequently shop with. They may have altered their services to fit the temporary ‘new normal’. For example, your local cleaners now may provide a disinfecting service, or maybe a toy store is now selling homeschool supplies.
• If you still have steady income and the financial means to do it, continue to pay your cleaning people, hair stylist, nanny, etc. They need us and we need them.
• Check to see which of your services/providers are now being provided online. Therapists, tutoring, yoga, personal trainers, coaches, financial planners, lawyers, music classes for kids - all of these can be continued through videos or online conferencing.
• Tip service workers extra.
• Keep paying your memberships and subscriptions, even if they’ve been temporarily suspended.
• If you or your child already paid for a class that was cancelled, instead of a refund, donate that lost money to the organization.
• Start a local business network where people can engage with local businesses remotely. 
• Are you a website designer, developer, or a social media expert? Offer your services to local businesses that don’t have an online presence to help them sell and promote online.
• If you learn of a unique promotion or idea from a local business, share it online. 
• Share hoarded sanitizer and supplies with local businesses.
• Start an online contest / drawing for local business gift cards and services. 
• Just give a donation. Cash is always appreciated.