‘Lead by example, even when it’s really painful.’ Local spots close to stop COVID-19.
Mecklenburg County declared a state of emergency Sunday after two more residents tested “presumptively positive for COVID-19,” health officials stated.
At the urging of Gov. Roy Cooper, schools are closing, large gatherings are canceled and businesses are allowing employees to work from home.
In Charlotte, this has hit and will continue to hit the local business community. We offered some tips a few days ago about how to support businesses while practicing social distancing.
How can we support local businesses while social distancing over coronavirus?
Keeping our community safe is a matter of public responsibility. The governor on Saturday announced an executive order to stop mass gatherings of more than 100 people. (The order does not include restaurants, shopping malls or retail stores.)
Some of our city’s small businesses are now making the very difficult decision to close their doors for the time being, doing their part to prevent community spread even at great financial cost.
“Lead by example, even when it’s really f*cking painful,” began a post from Girl Tribe Co. as the company announced it is temporarily closing the doors to its retail shop. “This is incredibly painful, we please ask that you keep us in business by shopping online (free shipping) and stay tuned for other creative ways to support (live events, live sales, etc). Please keep us in business,” wrote owners Carrie Barker and Sarah Baucom.
Here are some of those businesses, Charlotte’s pioneers in this war against COVID-19. Remember them when you’re choosing how to spend your money in the days and weeks and months ahead.
Charlotte businesses closing temporarily to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
5Street Group
This includes 5Church Charlotte, 5Church Charleston and Sophia’s Lounge. Here’s a link to purchase a gift card for later.
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Barre Code Charlotte
The NoDa barre studio is temporarily suspending operations through the end of March. All memberships have been suspended and members can utilize on-demand access to stay connected from home. “At times like these, those vibes really pull us through. Our mantra remains in our hearts and will keep us together in this brief time apart. We look forward to seeing you and reopening soon,” owner Lauren Travis posted on Instagram. In the meantime, consider purchasing a few classes for when all of this is over.
Girl Tribe
Shopping, it’s for the greater good: Order online and get free shipping.
Hygge
All Hygge locations will close for the week. “Please trust us when we say this decision was not made lightly and without consequence to us, and the businesses we call fam. This is by far the most painful decision we have ever made,” Hygge posted on its social media on Sunday.
Local museums and performing art centers
Both locations of the Mint Museum are closed through Tuesday, March 31. All programming has been rescheduled or canceled. The Levine Museum of the New South announced that it would close through March 29, and Discovery Place announced it will close its locations until March 27. Follow Cristina Bolling’s story in The Charlotte Observer for other local arts updates.
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Sycamore Brewing
The taproom is closed, but in the meantime: support the brewery by picking up some Paloma Gose in your next grocery delivery order. “This is about making sacrifices for the greater good of our community. Those on the front lines — firemen, nurses, physicians, police, etc. — do not have a choice about doing their jobs,” owner Sarah Brigham told reporter Laurie Larsh on Sunday night.
“The private sector has an obligation to minimize the risk to those public servants just as it has an obligation to protect employees and customers and the most vulnerable in our community. As it relates to our business, we believe the way the beer community ignores or confronts the COVID-19 risk in an ineffective way, the downstream effects, although somewhat hidden, are most certainly worsened.”
Here’s what our local breweries are doing to practice social distancing
Charlotte eateries making big changes:
4th Corner Bakehouse & Coffee Co.
This Waxhaw bakery is offering meals to children in need during school closures. “If anyone needs a hand, we are here. If you need a pb&j and an apple for your kids that would normally get school lunch, we are here. If you have a nut allergy or a picky eater and need a little cheese pizza, we are here. If you are losing a paycheck and just need a loaf of bread to help put dinner on the table, we are here. Ask us for a kids meal and we will make that sandwich and apple for you. If you aren’t comfortable asking in front of others send us a dm or come to the side door and we will figure it out in private,” the bakery posted on Instagram on Saturday.
The Batchhouse
Selling pre-packaged boxes available for curbside pickup.
The Cowfish
Place your takeout order online, pull up to the dedicated parking spaces and someone will bring your order out to you.
Dish
Offering delivery for Plaza Midwood residents and takeout for everyone.
Resident Culture
This Midwood-area brewery rolled out home delivery and curbside pickup programs on Sunday.
Editor’s note: This article is developing and will be updated. Is your favorite restaurant or other retailer making changes to help our community, even at a big financial loss? Email us at charlottefive@charlottefive.com and we may add it to our list.
