One of the great characteristics of every community is the common feeling that you have something that nobody else has, and Kemptville is no exception. Located just south of Ottawa, we show pride in our beautiful attractions, unique stores, small businesses, and the sense of connection and belonging that make this town everything it is. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic that took March, April, and continues through to today, the livelihood of many small businesses has been put at risk. Thankfully,  we have rallied together to stay home, stay positive, and stay connected in an effort to get through these trying times while maintaining our health and safety, but many people are looking for ways to reach out and help the small businesses in our community in order to boost our local economy during this time and keep the spirit alive. While doing our part by social distancing has left many businesses in our town having to alter operations or close their doors altogether, there are still a variety of ways we can still reach out and show our support to our favourite local stores and restaurants during this time. 

 

Shop Online!

Many of the local businesses in Kemptville have restructured their operations to allow for more accessible shopping online and over the phone. Shops like To Be Continued and Jac’s Boutique and Love Your Pet offer either doorstep delivery or curbside pickup, making things even easier for those who are trying to really limit their interaction with others in public spaces. Check out your favourite store online or on their social media accounts, or connect with someone about the different ways of shopping that are now available. 

 

Dine-Out From Your Favourite Restaurant.

While many restaurants have closed their dining rooms, for the time being, there are still many places offering take-out and delivery. A few local favourites that are still open to the public for these dine-out options are Brigadoon Restaurant, Brewed Awakenings, The Crusty Baker, Catered Affairs, and Take Another Bite, who is also advertising their “Feed a Frontline Hero” program, allowing you to purchase meals for frontline workers at the Queensway Carleton Hospital. For a list of other local restaurants that are still cooking for the community, check your Skip The Dishes or Uber Eats App and take the night off, away from the kitchen.

 

Show Your Support.

Businesses that unfortunately cannot stay open during this time are also doing their best to keep in touch with the community. Some of these businesses have even taken to social media to offer free services during this time; Boss Thai Boxing & Fitness is posting free exercise videos on Facebook to help the community stay fit and keep busy during these uncertain times. By liking and sharing their posts on social media, as well as writing reviews of your awesome past experiences, you can actively spread the word about how great our local businesses are, which can ultimately help these businesses and their following grow, even when their doors remain closed. Additionally, purchasing gift cards to use for a future credit towards the goods and services offered by your favourite stores offers the business a little more support, while ensuring you have the funds in place to take advantage of the things you may have been missing over the last few months; This could come in handy for a hair appointment, spa day, or shopping spree to celebrate how far we have come in such a short time. 

While supporting our local businesses is a great way to help boost the local economy, it is important to remember that our essential workers are working hard and doing the best they can to stay safe and respect the guidelines set forth by the government. If you are feeling sick, it is important to stay home, and seek medical attention if required. If you do have to go out, try to prepare for your trip to limit the time you need to spend inside stores; using debit, credit, and tap, doing curbside pickup, and being mindful of the people around you and the space you are in will go a long way. Everyone working during these times is doing their best to meet the demands of their community. Be patient with wait times, show gratitude, and thank the workers and business owners who continue to serve our community throughout these unprecedented times.