Day in and day out, individuals across the country are facing one very important and urgent question: What should we make for dinner tonight? 

As lockdowns continue, the once-fun task has quickly become tiresome—mostly because people are sick of making decisions. 

Restaurants such as Girl and the Goat and Marco’s Kitchen have found opportunities in this new landscape to solve the decision-making problem while encouraging the fun of DIY food. 

Girl and the Goat is now offering “[**Goat-ceries**](https://www.exploretock.com/goatceries/)” which range from weekday and weekend meal kits to pantry items and even freshly baked goods. The Grilling Meat kit, for example, includes shrimp, beef short ribs, broccoli, and a number of other tasty delights—with the disclaimer that cooking and assembly are required. Consumers can say goodbye to Googling and substituting ingredients, welcoming home the supplies needed to cook a delicious meal that still feels more like a hobby than a splurge.

Some restaurants are even hosting virtual cooking classes, like [**Interno**](https://www.interorestaurant.com/live-cooking-classes) in Austin, TX. They provide you with all of the ingredients you need to make the dish, then host a live, online class to walk you through each step.  

Marco’s Kitchen is preparing and selling large bags of restaurant-quality produce at $10 per bag. These include fruits and vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers, zucchini, apples, oranges, and even sweet potatoes. While the initial flyer offered 75 bags available for pickup each week (one bag per car), the [**Facebook page**](https://www.facebook.com/events/marcos-kitchen/marcos-kitchen-fresh-produce-pick-up-bag-for-10/528642401170760/) now boasts 400 prepared bags. 

“You’ll always receive a great bag of produce, but it could be different from your friend’s and neighbor’s bag,” the advertisement promises, sprinkling in a bit of mystery to the grocery-store-trip alternative. 

Even [**Goose Island Beer Company**](https://www.instagram.com/p/CADUPwJhq_f/) is joining in on the fun. They paired up with two other Chicago favorites, Bang Bang Pie and Dark Matter Coffee, to create a Brunch Care Package for their Windy City fans. 

It's time to get with the times and update that business model because, if there's one thing we’ve learned, it's that we're all still here, and we're all still hungry.

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**Have an idea of how to help a small business? Use** [**\#SavetheSmalls**](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23savethesmalls) **and send it our way.**

Restaurants have been bringing home the bacon by selling meal kits and groceries to customers who are craving DIY delights.

Creating Meal Kits for Restaurants

Creating Meal Kits for Restaurants | #SaveTheSmalls

These days the weeks feel like five Mondays in a row and consumers are seeking new activities to keep their minds busy. Some businesses that typically operate solely as brick and mortar stores are providing entertainment to keep boredom at bay and their businesses top of mind. Traditionally these places don't deliver but COVID-19 is helping them to get creative with activities for adults and kids.

[**Labyrinth Game Shop**](https://www.labyrinthgameshop.com/) in Capitol Hill is offering online gaming events to curb kid’s boredom.

[**Chicago Boutique Eskell**](https://www.eskell.com/) is selling puzzles,  books and at-home beauty routine products for pick up.

[**Chevalier Books**](https://www.chevaliersbooks.com/), LA’s Oldest Independent Bookstore, is offering free door-to-door delivery for locals.

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**Have an idea of how to help a small business, use** [**\#SavetheSmalls**](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23savethesmalls) **and send it our way.**

Entertain with a board game. These shops are battling self-isolation boredom.

Curbing boredom with board games

Bookstores Go Beyond Books in COVID-19 | #SaveTheSmalls

Although we are far apart that doesn't mean we can't get still keep customers hooked on fitness and engaged with your brand.  For many consumers fitness is one thing they can control in a world of unknowns. People are learning that they don't need to physically be in the gym to get the benefits of their favorite health club. Here are some examples of how local and regional gyms are weathering the COVID-19 storm.

On top of online daily workouts, the local chapters of [**OrangeTheory Fitness**](https://www.orangetheoryfitness.com/) are offering live Zoom classes where you can connect with your favorite instructors.

[**SALT Fitness**](https://saltfit.com/) is offering two ways to get fit virtually. They are offering Zoom classes three times a day or a Salt Connect Membership where you can do several classes on demand.

[**Shadowbox** ](https://sbxboxing.com/)is offering a digital membership which gives access to real-time workouts and tutorials from your favorite instructors.

[**Y7 yoga**](https://www.y7-studio.com/) is offering a monthly membership were yogis can get access to live stream classes and custom playlists for each flow.

[**Tula yoga**](https://www.tulayoga.net/) is offering live-streaming and audio classes so you can do yoga anytime, anywhere.



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**These are a few we've seen recently, if you've found more, please post them on social media and tag** [**\#SaveTheSmalls**](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23savethesmalls)**.**

Although we are far apart that doesn't mean we can't get still keep customers hooked on fitness and engaged with your brand.

Fitness Classes See how 5 local gyms are getting physical over digital

Health Clubs and Gyms Adapt During COVID-19 | #SaveTheSmalls

“Welcome to now, which is wherever you are, whenever this is.” These introductory words welcome you to Ace Hotel’s [**digital care package**](https://www.dropbox.com/sh/cacazr10hnc5bep/AADKhfkaoYdWTVOMZxTFmxlMa?dl=0), a smorgasbord of fun intended to keep you occupied (and nostalgic) during the day-to-day of quarantine life.

The care package boasts an assortment of “safer at home” digital delights, ranging from a printable activity book to delicious restaurant recipes. It even includes virtual backgrounds so previous visitors can reminisce on good times—and remember what the outside world looks like (more or less). 

The care package is a great example of how businesses can effectively interact with consumers as they remain at home and dream of the future. It keeps Ace Hotel top-of-mind for those already planning their next vacation, whenever it may be. The welcome letter even pushes customers to check out gift cards for future stays, which are currently 20% off and go towards supporting Ace Hotel's team members and staff. Seemingly, this approach has worked, as one Twitter user comments: 

"this is so fun! i splurged on a few of their stay gift cards. if i can’t book flights, i’ll dream up (& save!) on future trips." ([**link**](https://twitter.com/mrsaislinL/status/1260420629485875201)) 

Staying connected to your customer base is important during these times. Daily or weekly emails might become harrowing for your supporters, so creating a few simple materials to help them get by can be the perfect solve for staying in touch and staying relevant, while keeping a safe distance, both virtually and physically.

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**Have an idea of how to help a small business? Use** [**\#SavetheSmalls**](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23savethesmalls) **and send it our way.**

Ace Hotel stays top-of-mind by providing customers with digital care package for their quarantine needs.

Lets take care of business

Create a Digital Care Package | #SaveTheSmalls

Let's learn together while sheltering apart. These small businesses are offering virtual learning experience to replace foot traffic with click traffic keeping their brands top of mind, while teaching their customers new skills.

The [**Birdhouse Salon**](https://www.allure.com/story/hair-colorists-virtual-consultations-hair-dye-mail-quarantine-coronavirus) in Brooklyn is offering custom Quarantine Color kits and tutorials for anyone to help correctly apply it at home. 

Michelin star chef [**Massimo Bottura**](https://www.instagram.com/massimobottura/) is doing daily cooking classes in English through Instagram Live.

Local musician [**Mr. Dave**](https://www.instagram.com/mrdavemusic/) is providing in-home music classes for bored kids and overwhelmed parents.

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**Those are some of the best we’ve seen so far. If you’ve found more, please post them to social media with** [**\#SavetheSmalls**](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23savethesmalls)**.**

Let's help your customers learn together.

Livestream your smarts

Small Business Experiences During COVID-19 | #SaveTheSmalls

As shops and restaurants struggle to keep revenue stream flowing, it’s important to consider ways to provide your customers and supporters with opportunities to help. By offering gift card purchases to consumers, your business can attain immediate cash flow to help keep the lights on.

Gift cards have become a good method for increasing revenue, because they often create spending boosts and entice new customers to become repeat customers. Individuals are often motivated to spend more than the gift card entails, because they know that part of the purchase is already covered. On top of that, any unused balance left on the card is a profit for your business. In these uncertain times, they are especially useful for gaining the revenue without having to immediately deliver on promised goods.

If possible, implement a digital gift card option on your website to make receiving or giving a gift card even easier. You can use [Square ](https://squareup.com/us/en/l/egift-cards)to set up your eGift card. It’s free to sign up, and you pay 2.9% + $0.30 when customers purchase a gift card from you.

[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/business/boost/gift-cards) even has a new feature that helps people in your area discover local gift card programs in order to encourage support of small businesses. 

**TIP**: Post across your social media channels and send e-mails to your customer fanbase announcing that you’re now offering gift cards. Let them know this is a helpful way for them to support you.

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**Have an idea of how to help a small business? Use #SavetheSmalls and send it our way.**

Make it easier for your consumers to support you by setting up a gift card program.

Play your cards right

How to Set Up Virtual Gift Cards | #SaveTheSmalls

As spring approaches, shoppers are itching to get their gloved hands on new clothes and goods. Individuals taking strolls in the nicer weather pass closed-down stores—and local wine shop All Together Now is capitalizing on this by taking window shopping to a whole new level. Customers can simply pick out which wine appeals to them by gazing at the front window display and buy bottles directly from the window at a safe distance.

Clothing stores have begun to optimize their displays specifically for window shopping, showcasing new lines and highlighting products with simple overhead lighting.  Be sure to accompany your window display with signs that clearly inform a passersby on how to order and to text or call with questions regarding purchasing. As a nod to the times, some have even placed face masks on the mannequins. 

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**Have an idea of how to help a small business, use** [**\#SavetheSmalls**](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23savethesmalls) **and send it our way.**

Just because your doors are closed doesn’t mean window shopping can’t be open for business.

Reinvent window shopping

Reinvent window shopping | #SaveTheSmalls

Many customers want the opportunity to support the employees of their favorite local businesses who have been impacted by COVID-19. Below are the steps to successfully set up a tip jar

1 . Set up a virtual tip jar. 

2 . Connect it to your [**Venmo** ](http://venmo.com)account. 

3 . Post the code and watch the tips roll in.



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**Have an idea of how to help a small business, use** [**\#SavetheSmalls**](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23savethesmalls) **and send it our way.**

Keep your employees motivated and your consumers aware of the need to recognize the star service happening behind the clicks with a virtual tip jar.

Setting up a virtual tip jar is as easy as 1 2 3

Set Up a Virtual Tip Jar During COVID-19 | #SaveTheSmalls

As part of an initiative to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) during these uncertain times, [**Google** ](https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/9803410)is giving their customers worldwide $340 million in ad credits. Those eligible will have advertised with a Google Ads account directly or through a partner in ten out of twelve months of 2019, and in January and/or February of this year. 

Other digital companies are delivering support for small businesses as well. [**Toast Now**](https://pos.toasttab.com/products/toast-now/get-started?utm_source=googlesmb&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=tnow-b2bsmb-partner-website-tnow-promo-2020.04.24) is offering 3 months free for their services, which include setting up digital channels to move restaurant operations online, including ordering, gift cards, loyalty programs, payroll and more. 

[**Shopify**](https://www.shopify.com/covid19?utm_source=google&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=google_partner_hub) is providing SMBs with a 90-day trial to try out the all-in-one commerce platform that helps start, run, and grow your business online. [**Hootsuite**](https://blog.hootsuite.com/note-from-hootsuite/?utm_campaign=all-partner-none-glo-none----covid19---q2_2020&utm_source=google&utm_medium=partner_alliance&utm_content=) is is making Hootsuite Professional available for free to small businesses and nonprofits for a limited time, which includes training tools and online workshops to help guide them in staying connected to their communities. 

While these are just a few examples, other [**special offers**](https://smallbusiness.withgoogle.com/offers/?gclid=CjwKCAjw7-P1BRA2EiwAXoPWAzth7L-0gve10RQvmus_sYqSgNgs18PcUm0jX0tIDYHTWpViA3MQChoC4PUQAvD_BwE#!/) can be found that may help small and medium-sized businesses to increase brand visibility and revenue through online and delivery programs.

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**Have an idea of how to help a small business? Use** [**\#SavetheSmalls**](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23savethesmalls) **and send it our way.**

These companies are offering special deals to support small businesses in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tools to grow your online business

Digital Tools to Help SMBs During COVID-19 | #SaveTheSmalls

Keep your revenue stream flowing through a shoppable Instagram post. Get one setup in 4 easy steps:

1. Get approved as a business profile. 
2. Setup your product line on Instagram with Shopify or BigCommerce.
3. Wait for approval.
4. Turn shopping features on your account.  

Then promote new products daily to make your clients aware of your inventory. Learn more about [**selling on Instagram**](https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/selling-on-instagram) and [**Instagram shopping tips**](https://blog.hootsuite.com/insta-shopping-tips/) before you get started! 

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**Have an idea of how to help a small business, use** [**\#SavetheSmalls**](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23savethesmalls) **and send it our way.**

Virtual Learning

Selling on Social Media During COVID-19 | #SaveTheSmalls

As people stay home to [**\#flattenthecurve**](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23flattenthecurve) and prevent the spread of coronavirus, your business can take services virtual. Several chefs, bartenders and industry professionals have found a way to engage with social-distancing viewers via virtual classes.

[**Chef’s Garden**](https://www.cateringjacksonville.com/) is not only offering grocery delivery, but alcohol delivery and tutorials to boot. You can create a perfectly curated meal at home while getting your drink on all at a safe but delicious distance. 

[**Antonelli’s Cheese Shop**](https://www.antonellischeese.com) in Austin is providing patrons with virtual cheese tastings, where you pick up your cheese try with curbside delivery and get on a video call at your scheduled time for your class. The educational and fun class is hosted by a cheese connoisseur who walks you through your cheese platter. 

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**Have an idea of how to help a small business, use** [**\#SavetheSmalls**](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23savethesmalls) **and send it our way.**

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