Supporting St. Pete Businesses
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There are a lot of uncertainties during this time. We don’t know how long this social distancing will last or when life will start to feel like normal again. What we do know is that local businesses across the country will be feeling the financial strain. Many have to operate at only 50% capacity and several have had to shut their doors entirely. St. Pete is a city in particular that has a thriving community of local businesses. In my time as a resident of the Sunshine City, I’ve personally gotten to know and love so many. These are very strange times, but here are some suggestions to share our support to what makes St. Pete so special.
Restaurants
- Since restaurants have to operate at a very limited capacity, a local resident has launched #CarryOutStPete. This is a call to action, on the next two Fridays, to take out from your favorite St. Pete restaurants. If you typically eat out over the weekend, still keep your standing orders, but carry out and enjoy it safely in your home. Some of our personal favorites on Friday are Fourth Street Shrimp, Three Birds Tavern, or Moon Under Water.
- Tipping for carry out and delivery is always tricky. For the next few weeks, tip what you normally would if you were dining in. Actually, if you’re able and are feeling particularly generous, tip more than usual. Our friends in the hospitality industry have to pay their bills too and don’t have an option of working from home.
- If you’re still feeling a little eerie of ordering take-out, I honestly can’t blame you. To still support your favorite local restaurants, call in an order for a gift card. You may not use it right away, but will have something to look forward to when things are back to normal.
Coffee Shops
- As of right now, coffee shops are still open for business. Even this morning, I stopped at Black Crow for a cold brew to go. All coffee shops are taking extra protective measures to keep their customers and employees healthy. Again, show a little extra love while tipping because we don’t know how long they will remain open for.
- Another coffee shop I frequent is Intermezzo. While they are no longer open for their cocktail hours, coffee and tea is still available. If you are a hospitality worker, first responder, or hospital employee who needs a little extra caffeine right now, stop by for a complimentary case of MADE coffee. Supporting local businesses is great, but local businesses supporting their community is even better!
Breweries
- A huge piece of our city’s identity comes from our local breweries. At first, it seemed like they would be closed for good over the next 30 days, but now they will have very limited hours for to-go orders only. Stop by your favorites and pick up a case or growler to go. Again, tip generously.
- If you are practicing extreme social distancing, a gift card is always an easy purchase. Many breweries, like my dear friends at St. Pete Brewing, have an online shop page where you can buy gift cards and merchandise.
- One final measure, which is arguably the easiest, is to use social media for the powers of good. Post or tag about your favorites local spots, leave kind reviews online, and help boost their status remotely. When they open up again, they will be flooded with new customers who’ve only heard the best things.
Leisure
- I have a standing appointment every Friday with Sip and Dry, the best blow bar in town. Since I’m practicing social distancing, and I’m just with David everyday, it seems silly to make my hair a priority right now. Instead, I’m buying a gift card and looking forward to amazing hair in the next few weeks. If feel like you need some pampering today, they are still open for businesses and taking extra safety measures.
- My favorite yoga studio, SunState Yoga, is another business who has opted to close its doors for the next 30 days. If you have membership with any gym or studio, keep it going! Many, like SunState, are offering a free month in the future. They are also posting daily videos so you can continue your practice from home. During stressful times like this, taking an hour of your time for yoga just makes sense!
- Turn off the TV and take this time at home to broaden your horizons with a good book. Tombolo Books has several options to get you books quickly and seamlessly. They have even added a delivery service for in-town orders and courtyard pick up. If you have young ones at home, they have books for all ages so the entire family can keep their sanity!
The old adage, ‘it takes a village’ can mean so many different things. Right now it’s going to take the whole community to keep our spirits up and support one another. Our local businesses in St. Pete is what makes us a one-of-a-kind city. Be kind to one another and be kind to yourself. When this is all behind us, I can’t wait to see how the Sunshine City celebrates!
Love from Florida,
Katie
As always, thanks for stopping by! To keep up with all things about the Sunshine State, be sure to visit my exclusive Florida page, here.