Around (down)town: Support our local businesses during COVID-19 pandemic

News from the Downtown Alliance

March 17, 2020

A note from the president

Hello friends,

There's a lot going on in our city, across the country and around the globe right now. We hope you are all staying safe and healthy, and are doing what you can to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

I'm sure you've had plenty of people tell you to stay home, wash your hands and not touch your face, but I'm here with another message -- support our local businesses. Of course we are here to support downtown, but we hope you will consider all of Saint Paul's retail, restaurant and other consumer-facing businesses right now.

We've set up a Support Local page on our website with more information about how you can safely support downtown restaurants, retailers and their employees as they close their dining rooms and look for other creative ways to stay in business. I'd also like to give a shoutout to the businesses who are doing what they can to help our community.

Saint Paulites are known for rallying around each other in difficult times. Let's keep that tradition going.

Sincerely,

Joe Spencer

President

The Saint Paul Downtown Alliance

How to safely support local businesses

Without visiting stores and restaurants physically, there are ways you can support our small and local businesses:

Shop online or via phone. Many of downtown’s retailers have online shopping available; our local and independent shops will help you get what you need via phone, FaceTime, or other methods, if necessary.

Purchase custom or corporate gifts from retailers who can handle orders over the phone or online.

If you typically order wholesale products with local retailers later in the year, place your orders now.

If you do not need anything specific at the moment but still want to support local, buy gift cards to spend later in our various storefront businesses.

For restaurants, order takeout or delivery and tip the same amount as you would dining in.

You can buy gift cards for many local restaurants, or annual memberships at many of our local museums and cultural institutions.

Downtown businesses are getting creative

Currently, many downtown Saint Paul restaurants, stores, and cultural institutions are getting creative in how to continue serving their patrons while we collectively try to curb the spread of COVID-19 by staying out of public spaces. For example:

Saint Dinette has closed its dining room and will reopen on March 19 as Dinette N' Out -- a takeout and delivery concept.

Lunds & Byerlys has changed its hours to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and are requesting patrons to reserve the opening hour of 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. each day for shoppers who are at a higher risk of severe illness by COVID-19.

Urban Wok is now takeout and delivery only.

Perkelate Coffee will be offering call ahead pickup orders during normal business hours. Their number is 651-219-5342.

Afro Deli is open at the Wabasha Street location for pickup orders only, with online or phone ordering available. Any school-aged child can come between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. for a free meal.

As of today Beaningful is closed to the public, however they are asking customers to make contributions to the Neighborhood House March Food Drive, which supplies local families with fresh, nutritious foods.

Learn more at stpdowntownalliance.org/supportlocal.

Have questions?

Drop us a line!

Cover photo by Jeff Schad .

#stpdowntown

stpdowntownalliance.org