In light of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's March 16 executive order to shut down dine-in services at all restaurants and ban gatherings of more than 50 people amid the COVID-19 outbreak, restaurants in Grand Rapids are offering carryout, delivery, drive-thru, drive-up services and more to keep their businesses and employees financially afloat.
With restaurants across the state suffering extensive immediate and long-term financial damage because of the dine-in closures, businesses and organizations in Grand Rapids are working together to get the word out about what services restaurants in the city are offering during this time of continued hardship and uncertainty.
Two local organizations compiling online lists of these offered services are Experience Grand Rapids and Local First. Their lists are growing by the hour.
On Experience Grand Rapid’s website, their growing list includes local restaurants, bars, breweries, and other food businesses. They’re encouraging locals to not only continue supporting their favorite places to eat through these businesses’ carryout, delivery, drive-thru, or drive-up services, but to consider purchasing gift cards from these businesses as well.
“We realize that during this very difficult time it is important to support our local business community,” said Stephanie Bradley, public relations manager for Experience Grand Rapids. “We hope that by creating this space for restaurant information we can play a small part in helping our local eateries.”
Local First’s growing list, what they’re calling a “crowd-sourced digest of all things local business,” can likewise be found on their website. This growing list extends beyond local food businesses to include retail businesses, arts businesses, and more.
“Local First is working to bring the most accurate and up to date information about how all of us can support local businesses in this challenging time,” said Hannah Schulze, interim executive director for Local First. “Businesses are needing to constantly innovate in order to stay in operation, particularly restaurants and retailers. Keep an eye on the resource document available at LocalFirst.com for information on how to support your favorite local businesses.”
Schulze noted how important it is during this time to keep the people behind these businesses in mind, as the hardships will continue for the foreseeable future.
“Reach out to your friends and family who own businesses or work in industries that are most impacted by this situation, they are likely needing to make challenging decisions every day that impact their livelihoods. If you have discretionary income, support local business. If you do not, give a five star review or share business information with Local First so that we can amplify the messages being pushed out. We all need to work together and put people first.”
Local businesses offering carryout, delivery, drive-thru, or drive-up services during this time that are not yet on either list are encouraged to get added by submitting their information to the contacts shared on both organization’s landing pages for their lists.
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