As a result of the current COVID-19 situation, many Ottawa residents and shops have had to adjust their day-to-day operations. And, with a number of stores already closed, finding creative ways to stay afloat can be tough. However, despite the recent provincial closures of non-essential services, there are still a few creative ways you can support Ottawa local businesses. Shopping locally is always an excellent way to get behind your community but at a time like this, your support is probably more important than ever. With creative online solutions popping up in the capital every day, you can still enjoy and support your favourite restaurants, music stores, clothing shops, and more. So, whether you’re craving an Italian feast, want to feed your online shopping obsession, or are seeking new forms of entertainment during social isolation, the city has you covered. Most companies are offering semi-regular products and services during this time, while others are asking for donations and gift card purchases until they can re-open. It’s important to remember that as this COVID-19 pandemic continues, deliveries and services are subject to change daily. In the meantime, though, take a look at the list below and get ready for a little retail therapy. Virtual Brewery Tour Price: Free (tips accepted) When: Friday, April 10 @ 3 p.m. Address: Instagram Live Why You Need To Go: You can tune in to the Brew Donkey Tours Instagram for live virtual brewery tours in the area. The events are free, but you can leave tips on the website. Virtual cheers! View this post on Instagram 2020 will be an interesting year for beer and beer drinkers.. or non-beer drinkers.⠀ ⠀ Do you think this could change someone's mind about drinking beer? Either never or very rarely?⠀ ---⠀ co/ @Entrepreneur https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/344044 A post shared by Brew Donkey Tours (@brewdonkeyott) on Dec 31, 2019 at 6:26am PST Website Free Local Ice Cream Delivery Price: $12 pints When: Pick-ups on Wednesdays & Saturdays, delivery times vary Address: Online orders only Why You Need To Go: You can now buy delicious ice cream online. This shop is offering free local delivery for healthcare professionals and immuno-compromised individuals. Alternatively, they are currently offering free pick-up from the store for online orders. View this post on Instagram @mooshuicecream never ceases to amaze me with their latest Mid-Autumn Festival flavours 🥮🌕. I got a hold of their limited edition 'Mooncake at Midnight' - charcoal caramel ice cream and salted duck egg yolk custard. Salted egg yolks may sound unusual in desserts, but it's wisely used in Chinese cuisine. You can find them in egg custard buns or in traditional mooncakes to bring notes of savoury sweetness and crumbly texture. Duck eggs are commonly used for their bigger yolks, but some version uses chicken eggs as they are more readily available. This mooncake ice cream tastes like salted caramel with an eggy taste! A must try! Hand model: @hangryinmtl A post shared by Victor |📍 𝙼 𝚘 𝚗 𝚝 𝚛 𝚎 𝚊 𝚕 (@randomcuisine) on Oct 8, 2019 at 2:09pm PDT Website Save Some Thyme In The Kitchen Price: Prices vary When: Doorstep delivery Monday to Friday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Address: Online or phone only Why You Need To Go: You can get fresh and frozen meals along with some dessert options as well. Perfect for those who don't want to cook right now. View this post on Instagram A great choice for #MeatlessMonday would be our Jack Fruit Chimichanga from our #WellingtonWest #ThymeTable menu. #DinnerThyme #Vegetarian #OttawaFoodies #OttawaEats #FoodShop #TakeHomeFood #VegetarianEats A post shared by Thyme & Again (@thymeandagain) on Feb 24, 2020 at 10:34am PST Website Update Your Wardrobe @ BBxCollection Price: Pricing varies Address: Online orders only Why You Need To Go: If you want to support a local business and spread a helpful message, then these adorable "Stay The F*** Home" shirts are the perfect way to do both. 50% of profits from the shirt go to charity. Currently, the shop is offering free shipping as well. View this post on Instagram We are QUITE sick babes, so we’re much slower to respond to your emails & DMs. Thank you for your patience + understanding! On the bright side, our silver Boob earrings from Mimi & August are BACK IN STOCK! We sold out in less than 72 hours last time, so get ‘em before they’re gone. Ya snooze, ya lose! ✨ Shop online now: www.bbxcollection.com/accessories #BabesInBBxCo @babesinbbxco A post shared by BBxCollection Apparel (@bbxcollection) on Mar 10, 2020 at 2:31pm PDT Website GameZetera Retro Game Night Price: Prices vary When: Usually same-day delivery Address: Online orders only Why You Need To Go: This local retro games shop is now offering delivery on video games so you can relive your childhood while you practice social distancing. View this post on Instagram Thank you @dragonxmew for this amazing photo. 🌺🌺🌺🌺 . . . . . . 🔥Get your favourite console on a shirt link in the bio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #retrogamingwear #retrocommunity #retrogame #retrogames #retrogaming #retrocollector #snes #supernintendo #nintendo #playstation #collector #gameboy #n64 #playstation4 #nintendods #xbox #videogames #gamer #nintendoswitch #sega #xbox #ps2 #ps3 #switchlite A post shared by Retro Gaming Wear (@retrogamingwear) on Mar 22, 2020 at 9:44am PDT Website North & Navy Price: Prices vary from $4 to $32+ When: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Address: Online/phone orders only Why You Need To Go: If you're craving some classic Italian eats, you can still order them from this gorgeous Ottawa restaurant. They have shared a special take-out only menu on Instagram and it will make your mouth water. View this post on Instagram Hello all! Thank you all for the kind words, support and encouragement. We’re feeling pretty lucky to have all of you. We’re also itching to serve you here at North & Navy. Until it’s safe to do so again we’re offering takeout & delivery options starting tomorrow. Check out menus offered call or email us to order anytime tomorrow. Prepay by phone or email. No cash. We’ll start serving at 2pm until 8pm. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions no problem we got you covered too. We’re looking forward to cooking for you! ⚜️ #NoNatakeout #NoNaNoodles A post shared by North & Navy (@northandnavy) on Mar 17, 2020 at 1:28pm PDT Website Doggo Delivery Price: Prices vary Address: Phone orders Why You Need To Go: This family-owned pet shop is offering home delivery and curbside pick-ups so you can keep your doggo full and healthy. View this post on Instagram 🔸Letter from Owners, Jeff and Kelvin Stanke: 🔸 . We want to thank every one of our customers for their support and trust in us during this very special time. We have taken, and continue to take, every precautionary measure possible to ensure your safety while shopping in our stores. . We want to thank all of our staff for working through and enduring this crazy, unprecedented period. They truly have shone during a difficult time. . We will - and you will - get through this, and we will bounce back from this. . I hope you all manage to find some peaceful time, work on a hobby or practice some creative part of yourselves, and REALLY take time to appreciate what’s truly important: your family and friends. . As always, we are always here for you, our valued customer, so please reach out if you need any help or have any needs. . Take care of yourselves and be safe. . Kelvin and Jeff Stanke, Owners Critter Jungle Carling Critter Jungle Orleans A post shared by Critter Jungle - Ottawa (@critterjungle) on Mar 18, 2020 at 2:13pm PDT Website Bread By Us Price: By donation Address: Online Why You Need To Go: This Ottawa bakery is accepting donations on GoFundMe so they can continue to bake and donate bread to the Parkdale Community Centre. View this post on Instagram Organic Spelt & Wheat Multigrain ♡ A post shared by Bread By Us (@breadbyus) on Aug 17, 2019 at 7:17am PDT Website Black Squirrel Books & Espresso Bar Price: Prices vary Address: Online orders Why You Need To Go: Looking for new ways to entertain yourself? Well, you can order a mystery box filled with books from this local spot. A perfect way to show your support and keep yourself busy too. View this post on Instagram New arrivals on the poetry shelf. . #books #usedbooks #poetry #words #bookpiles #nowreading #read #ottawa #613 A post shared by Black Squirrel Books & Esp Bar (@black_squirrel_books) on Nov 1, 2019 at 11:21am PDT Website Pure Yoga Price: By donation, $5 to $40 Address: Online only Why You Need To Go: This yoga studio is offering free classes online via Instagram TV. The classes are free to consume but donations are welcome. Simply purchase a "virtual drop-in" from the website to show your support. View this post on Instagram At Pure, we will never stop our commitment to the evolution of YOU! ✨ We have created an Instagram live class schedule. Every day your favourite teachers will be volunteering their time to go LIVE from their own profiles to continue serving you. For those of you who are unaware, yoga teachers are independent contractors and therefore do not qualify for EI. We understand this is a tough time for many and we want to be clear that these classes are 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 for everyone; however, your generosity to support their livelihood is appreciated. 𝘛𝘏𝘙𝘌𝘌 𝘞𝘈𝘠𝘚 𝘠𝘖𝘜 𝘊𝘈𝘕 𝘏𝘌𝘓𝘗! 🙏🏼 𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐃𝐑𝐎𝐏-𝐈𝐍: Ranging from $5 to $40. 100% of the proceeds go directly to the teachers. Link in our bio and a tutorial in our story/saved to highlights. 𝐏𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐆𝐀 𝐎𝐍𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏: 50% of all new member fees during this time will be given back to the teachers. Website in bio. 𝐅𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐎𝗪 & 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐄: Help our teachers build their online community. We are all in this together. We miss you all so much and look forward to the day when we will be reunited in the studios. For now stay safe and healthy. 💕 Love, The Pure Yoga Fam 🥰 A post shared by Pure Yoga Ottawa • 3 Locations (@pureyogaottawa) on Mar 22, 2020 at 7:02pm PDT Website Small Pony Barrel Works Price: $60 to $90 for free delivery/shipping Address: Online only Why You Need To Go: Did you forget to stock up on boozy bevs? Don't worry, you can still order drinks from a number of local Ottawa breweries, including this one. Here, you can get free local delivery and free shipping on qualified orders. View this post on Instagram Hey members of the Culture Club!..Your third bottle release of 2019 is ready for pickup! Dessert Island was blended using pineapples, montmorency cherries, and coconut, and makes the perfect companion for those longing for a tropical getaway! #sourbeer #613beer #cultureclub #pineapplevolcano A post shared by Small Pony Barrel Works (@smallponybarrelworks) on Nov 2, 2019 at 10:51am PDT Website The Record Centre Price: Prices vary Address: Online orders only Why You Need To Go: Calling all music lovers! This local record shop may be closed, but they are currently posting daily record flip-through videos on their Instagram. You can still purchase records for local no-contact delivery via email and e-transfer. View this post on Instagram Monday Flip Video 1) Quasimodo picture disk $18 SOLD 2)REM.Mumble.$20 SOLD 3)Halifax Three $10 4) The Residents Mark of the Mole $40 5) Robert Charlebois w/superfrog insert $18 6)Anvil Hope in Hell $20 7) Pink Floyd wish you were here Japan $45 8) Ramones Meltdown $12 SOLD 9)Caribou Up in Flames Red Sealed $30 SOLD 10) Aerosmith sealed 180 g $25 11)My Bloody Valentine W/CD $40 12) Sigur Ros Með suð í eyrum við spilum $30 13) Sigur Ros Valtari sealed $40 14) Andy Shauf Bearer of Bad news $20 15) Sam Cooke USA in shrink $18 16) Pink Floyd Relics $25 17) Willie Dunn import $30 18) Neil Young tonight's the night USA $30 19) animals mono in shrink $25 SOLD 20) Dennis Coffey goin for myself $20 Son House 2lp pure pleasure $45 SOLD 22)Kings of Leon sealed because of the times $30 SOLD 23) Kings of Leon aha shake heartbeat $30 SOLD Another video at 2pm! Have a Safe Day! Back in the store Monday to Saturday 11-5pm for audio gear repair and pickup, LPs can paid for using PayPal, E-transfer Reserved by simply commenting I'll buy this, msg via FB or Instagram, texting John's phone at 613-878-5740 The email to use is johnwdt@rogers.com LPs can be picked up at the front door, or in some cases delivered, audio gear can be dropped off or picked up by appointment please A post shared by The Record Centre (@therecordcentre) on Mar 23, 2020 at 6:26am PDT Website
