Across the country, people are coping with the reality that gathering with friends or coworkers at our favourite watering holes, cafes and restaurants in Vancouver just isn't an option right now.
Ordering takeout and chilling on your patio may help a bit, but without that place to connect, celebrate, or simply hang out, Vancouverites are missing the things we love about this city, like our vibrant neighbourhoods and the local restaurants that make them what they are.
Everyone has been affected in some way by the COVID-19 pandemic, and small businesses are no different. They've been forced to change their operations to survive and serve their communities as best they can in these ever-evolving times.
What's pretty awesome is that, in addition to customers coming together to order takeout, purchasing meal kits or gift cards, and spreading the word about their favourite dishes, brands have stepped in to help too.
TurboTax Canada's Little Lifts initiative, for instance, supports local businesses by giving them a little lift after an extremely taxing 2020. One local spot benefiting from the campaign is Fable Kitchen, a Vancouver favourite that's become known for using local produce and innovative cooking techniques.
Opened in 2012 by Top Chef Canada and Top Chef Canada All-Stars finalist, Trevor Bird, Fable Kitchen has been serving Kitsilano and the greater Vancouver area through their authentic farm-to-table kitchen and wine bar inspired by the local community. The concept behind Fable Kitchen is to create a less-hurried dining experience.
While Fable's roots still stand, the folks working there told Narcity they had to "pivot aggressively and quickly" in response to the new public health measures. This included stopping dine-in, introducing virtual experiences like cooking classes and exploring creative ways to expand takeout, like with a pop-up sandwich shop.
In need of a little lift, Fable Kitchen partnered with TurboTax Canada to create and gift 50 meal kits to self-employed and small-business owners who have struggled during these tough times. On May 13 (which also happens to be Fable Kitchen's nine-year anniversary), they hosted a cook-along on Facebook Live where they prepared the meal kit with Vancouverites in real-time.
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In addition to the support from their customers, Fable Kitchen told Narcity they wouldn't have made it through all of this change without their "incredible" staff. "They have been so supportive and our greatest leaders... it's been very beautiful and is the silver lining in all of this chaos," they said.
The restaurant also indicated the past year "has been such a crazy ride, and if we look hard enough there are some things to be grateful for." It's too soon to tell what their future concept will look like, but Fable Kitchen knows it won't be the same.
Your go-to Vancouver faves like Fable Kitchen and other small businesses couldn't survive without support from their communities or initiatives like this one from TurboTax. And the good news is restaurants aren't the only ones who can benefit from a little lift.
After such a tough year, why not get some support to maximize your tax return? The last thing you want to worry about during a pandemic is your taxes, and TurboTax Live Full Service and TurboTax Live Self-Employed solutions make sure they're filed correctly and with confidence. It's more than okay to ask the experts who, with over ten years of experience, have seen it all.
You'll get customized service from the pros for your specific situation, including walking you through your relevant tax credits and deductions, plus offering you advice for next time. It's just one more way TurboTax is helping out; because we could all use a little lift right now.