Even before Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency in Ontario this morning, local restaurants made the decision to limit their service to take out and delivery only.
According to Ford's announcement, licensed restaurants and bars are to close — effective immediately — those offering take out and delivery can continue operating for the time being.
On Sunday, approximately 25 Collingwood bar and restaurant owners met to discuss a plan for COVID-19.
“We wanted to make sure we were focusing first on the safety of our staff and community,” said Cassie MacKell, co-owner of Low Down Bar, which closed its dining room on Monday. “This is new to all of us, so we turned to each other for support and to bounce ideas.”
MacKell said Low Down was designed with delivery in mind, so they plan to remain open to offer delivery and curbside pick up for as long as it makes sense. Low Down has also decided to waive the delivery charge on local orders, and MacKell plans to hand deliver the food herself.
“I understand that everyone is in a tough situation, many people are losing their jobs and ordering from a restaurant can be considered a luxury item,” said MacKell. “But this is a tough time, and if you still want to have an exciting night or keep some level or normalcy, it’s nice to know you have the option.”
Other restaurants and cafes in the area are attempting to follow suit. Coffee shops will continue to caffeinate the community, but have limited their hours and allow take out orders only. Good Grief Coffee Roasters, in Thornbury, is offering free local delivery of their bagged coffee beans.
“We have been floored by the response for bean delivery,” said Alix Haddy, co-owner of Good Grief. “We are so grateful for the community and their amazing and continued support. Quarantine without coffee sounds like a scene from The Shining and we’re not about to let that happen!”
Local gyms and fitness centres are getting creative as well. Following Friday’s announcement to close all community programs, including the YMCA, the local centres faced a difficult decision.
Despite no official mandate at the time, Active Life Conditioning closed its doors on Monday.
“The safety of our clients and staff was first and foremost,” said Sarah Applegarth, the owner of Active Life. “Of course it was a tough decision, but I wanted to make sure we were doing the right thing for Collingwood and contributing to flattening the curve.”
But Applegarth is also concerned about the physical health of her clients — and the financial wellbeing of her staff — so she is developing alternative ways to keep her company going.
“We are getting creative to keep our clients happy and our community strong,” said Applegarth. With the help of an instructor, Applegarth filmed a pilates class to send to her clients who were missing their regular Tuesday morning workout, and she plans to work with her physiotherapists to offer sessions over Facetime.
“I’m trying to seal up and be creative where I can so I have a business to come back to when this is all said and done,” said Applegarth.
As for other local businesses and retail stores, no official instructions have been implemented.
In the meantime, The Paint Bar devised a different way to keep its business alive — and encourage the community to stay creative.
The local studio preemptively closed on Monday as well, but is offering takeaway kits to enjoy the benefits of its business at home.
“Kids need entertainment in some way, shape or form. Maybe now more than ever,” said Victoria Cook, co-owner of The Paint Bar.
Families can pick out their pottery as if they were in the studio, and Cook will package it up, along with paints and paint brushes, so it can be crafted at home. They return it to the store later to be put in the kiln.
“In a time like this, people need to be creative. And as a business, if it means we don’t have to completely shut down operations, it’s better for us as well,” said Cook.
The Hive, a local retail and artisanal shop, will remain open until later this week before moving its operations online as well.
“Our ability to comply and adapt is the only thing we have control over,” said Lauren Patchett, the owner of The Hive. “We just want to keep everybody safe.”
The shop is offering free shipping on orders over $45.
Homme Femme, another local retail shop, has said it will deliver online orders within 100 kilometres of Collingwood, and is offering the “stuck-at-home sale” until the end of March, encouraging its customers to shop online using the code, “washyourhands.”
“The Collingwood community is very gracious and we have already felt the support over the last few days,” said Patchett. “It’s a trying time for the small guys, but people recognize that.”
“There are well over 50 hospitality industry people in the area who have been reaching out, wanting to support each other and offer advice,” said MacKell. “Other industries are probably the same. It’s the small business mindset. I think a lot of people feel alone in these decisions, but it’s amazing to watch the community as a whole get together and support one another as they can.”
