While it’s always good to support local businesses and boost the local economy of where you live, there has been an ever bigger push for this amid the coronavirus pandemic that has dominated this year. And with many businesses and restaurants closing down permanently due to a lack of funds or ability to continue safely operating, many people are wondering what they can do to help.
If you find that you’re ready and able to help build up the economy around you but you’re not quite sure of the best way to go about it, here are three ways you can support local restaurants during the pandemic.
Reassess Your Tipping Habits
Tipping is usually a very personal thing. While some services generally have a tip associated with them, other services are more of a gray area. But at a time like this, you may want to reassess your tipping habits to be more helpful to those who are really hurting financially.
With this in mind, Rachel Linder, a contributor to EatThis.com, suggests that you start tipping more often and larger amounts when you order food. Even if you’re getting takeout, which hadn’t previously been a situation where people would tip, you may want to leave something extra for those who are delivering your food or working at the restaurant as a helpful gesture to the business and to its workers.
Stock Up On Gift Cards
Due to the costs of running a business, from paying employees or keeping cold food cold and hot food hot and even just opening up restaurant doors for business, many restaurants have had to keep their doors closed for longer than they would have liked. But just because a restaurant may not be open right now doesn’t mean that they don’t still need your support.
In a case such as this, Lizz Schumer, a contributor to Good Housekeeping, suggests that you purchase gift cards that you can use in the future. With this act, you’ll be bringing more money into a restaurant or other food service business that you love even if they aren’t currently able to take orders.
Become A Micro-Influencer
Sometimes, giving your support online can be more helpful than placing an order for food. Especially if you have a decent following on your social media accounts, making yourself a micro-influencer for your favorite local restaurant could be extremely helpful for them.
To do this, Melody Warnick, a contributor to Market Watch, recommends that you either post a positive review about the restaurant so that others are encouraged to visit there more often or create a social post that you share to your followers where you speak highly of the food or service that this restaurant gives.
If you love the local restaurants in your area and want to help them keep their doors open during the pandemic, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you accomplish this.
