Here's how to keep shopping local during the pandemic

With all non-essential businesses shut down across the province, there are mountingconcerns about how local shops and services will survive the pandemic.

• Shutdown order will kill some businesses, advocates warn

Some Ottawa-area businesses have come up with creative ways to continue offering their goods and services from a distance. Here's how you can help support your favourite neighbourhood spots through the crisis.

Food and drink

Though restaurant dining rooms are closed, many local eateries have switched gears to focuson delivery. A new online service called Love Localoffers meals from chef-run restaurants within five kilometres. There's a $5 fee, and some restaurants offerfrozen meals or meal kits.

Some independent food stores are adapting to the new reality by banding together with neighbouring businesses and encouraging customers to think inside the box. Saslove's Meat Market has teamed up with Byward Fruit Market, House of Cheese and Lapointe Fish to fill local goodie boxes for delivery.

While tap rooms and bars may be closed, a number of local breweries are offering free delivery, with options for curbside pickup so you can enjoy their beer and keep your distance at the same time.

Gift certificates

Some businesses are calling on loyal customers to purchase gift certificates for use when they finally reopen.

Haunted Walks is also asking people to purchase gift certificates for a rainy day, or spooky night, down the road.

Other ways to shoplocal

Escape Bicycle Toursis running a spring promotion on long-term bike rentals. For a fee, you can even have your bike wheeleddirectly to your house.

If a sewing project is on your pandemic to-do list, Darrel Thomas Textilesis processing online orders and offers curbside pickup twice a week. Customers can choose fabrics online and park in front of the store for pickup and free smiles. They're also offering free delivery.

The Mayfair Theatre is askingpatrons to "buy" a seat at the vintage cinema for $150 and have their nameput on it for posterity.

Ottawa Princess Partyis going digital with one-on-one live video calls thatinclude stories, songs and games for children.

Dog-walking service Bitches Walking Dogshasa variety of online classes for you and your pooch.

Kanata North is offering"tech bucks"as a way for people to invest in small businesses in that part of the city. You can purchase themonline and redeem the value in local shops at a later date.

Find a neighbourhood business

Many local BIAs have created "support local"sections on their websites, with links to neighbourhood businesses that need your support. Here's a list of links forOttawa'sBIAs:

• Ottawa's Business Improvement Areas

The City of Ottawa has launched a buy local campaign and website with more information.