Support Local Businesses When Social Distancing

Here are a few things you can do to give back to your favorite local businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Mar. 20, 2020 • 4 min read

Woman ordering takeout from local restaurant on her phone

Social distancing is a strategy that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the New York State Department of Health recommend to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in communities across the country. Effective in limiting the spread of COVID-19, this approach also has a major impact on local businesses and employees.

While we don’t know how long social distancing will last, the CDC is recommending that gatherings of 50 people or more are avoided for eight weeks. The White House is recommending groups of 10 people or more are avoided.

So how do we support our community and give back to our favorite local establishments during the outbreak?

Here are a few things you can do:

Order takeout

You may have stocked up your pantry and freezer with groceries and are preparing to eat mostly home-cooked meals over the next several weeks, but many restaurants, bars, breweries, and wineries are suffering because of social distancing.

According to a Statista study of 60,000 restaurants, in-house dining at restaurants has declined 83% year-over-year worldwide from February to March.

It’s during times like these that we appreciate the service that our local eateries provide, and ordering takeout is one way you can support your local establishment.

Jump to the bottom of this article for our extensive list of establishments in the Greater Rochester area that are offering takeout options.

Buy gift cards

Gift cards represent a significant portion of revenue for local businesses. Gift Card Granny reports that nearly 93% of American consumers have either given or sent a gift card in their lifetime.

Gift cards are easy to purchase. You can visit a business’s website or often call them and purchase over the phone. One of the biggest advantages of purchasing a gift card is that you can use it any time.

Gift cards can help local businesses stay afloat during a time when people are being asked to stay home.

Bonus Tip: Know someone with a birthday coming up? Or haven’t yet thought of a Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gift? Many breweries, coffee shops, and other local businesses sell their own merchandise. Place an order early to help with their cash flow.

Write positive online reviews

Writing positive reviews of your favorite local businesses is a thoughtful way to make an impact without spending money, and a good way to use some of your new time at home.

According to Bright Local, consumers are likely to spend 31% more on products and services from businesses that have excellent reviews.

Google, Yelp, and Facebook are some of the top review sites where you can write a review. Positive reviews give staff something to be happy about and they help drive customers to an establishment.

Connect with seniors

The elderly population in long-term care facilities are feeling the impact of social distancing. Many of them rely on visits from friends and family members, explained Scott Schabel, MD, Medical Director of Geriatrics at Rochester Regional Health.

But with state-wide restrictions in place at long-term care facilities, many seniors are missing out on the best part of their day: visits from family members.

Dr. Schabel said there are things you can still do to stay connected to seniors at nursing homes:

Video chat—using a video calling platform to talk to your loved ones is a personal way to keep in touch.

Send them a gift—ordering a gift online or mailing one personally is a nice way to share a connection.

Write them a letter or card—writing a letter is a touching way to communicate with the elderly, and they will be surprised by a physical copy of a personal, hand-written letter from someone they love.

Reminder: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, before writing a letter, card, or sending gifts.

Donate to causes and charities

During times of crisis, local charities and non-profit organizations work around-the-clock to provide basic services for those in need.

Support your local branch by volunteering (if possible) or donating to their cause.

Here is a list of local causes and charities that are accepting donations during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Donation Drop-off Locations

You can drop off masks, gift cards and other supplies at three locations across our health system.

RRH Administrative Offices
Riedman Campus - North Entrance
100 Kings Highway South
Rochester, NY 14617
Mon, Wed, Fri
10am - 2pm

Newark-Wayne Community Hospital
Receiving Dock - North Side Entrance
1200 Driving Park Avenue
Newark, NY 14513
Mondays - Fridays
9am - 2pm

United Memorial Medical Center
Jerome Center Loading Dock
(off Wiard Street)
16 Bank Street
Batavia, NY 14020
Mondays - Fridays
10am - 2pm

Master List of Restaurants, Breweries, Wineries, and Distilleries

Here is a master list of the establishments in the Greater Rochester area that are open for takeout! Are we missing any? Send us a direct message on Twitter @ROCRegional with the name and website and we will add it to the list.

Restaurants

Agatina’s, (585) 426-0510
http://agatinas.com/menu/

Antonetta's, (585) 328-1830
http://www.antonettasrestaurant.com

Bill Gray’s (All locations)
https://www.billgrays.com/

Cheesy Eddies, (585) 473-1300
http://cheesyeddies.com/

Chick'N Out, (585) 376-2468
chicknoutroc.com

Laughing Gull Chocolates, (585) 417-5858
http://laughinggullchocolates.com/

Mac’s Philly Steaks (All locations)
http://www.macsphillysteaks.com/

Marty's, (585) 371-5277
www.martysmeats.com

Max of Eastman Place, (585) 697-0491
www.maxrochesterny.com

Newbury Park Pastries, (585) 272-7864
https://www.newburyparkpastries.com/

Pane Vino, (585) 586-7000
https://panevinorochester.com/