How to Support Local Businesses During Covid-19 Pandemic
1. Order take out or delivery
Keep your favorite local restaurants in mind during this time, many are offering take out and delivery options that they might not have had before. Check out our takeout & delivery guide during Covid-19 for a full list of restaurants who are still open for business and offering options for you and your family.
2. Purchase gift cards
Getting gift cards from local businesses helps boost their cash flow while you stay safe in your home. Many shops have them available online or over the phone.
Help Jade Presents in their effort to “Keep Music Alive” by purchasing gift cards to to be used for future shows. If you were planning on attending a show that has been cancelled or rescheduled, consider asking for a gift card over a refund.
3. Purchase hotel vouchers
Thinking about planning a staycation or have family coming into town later this year? Call one of the hotels in the area and get a voucher for later use.
4. Donate
Keep attractions and museums in mind and donate. Many also offer memberships so you can get some perks from them once they’re back up and running.
* Red River Zoo – Donate or become a member
* Fargo Air Museum – Donate
* Bonanzaville USA – Donate
* Plains Art Museum – Become a Donor or purchase a membership
* Rourke Art Gallery + Museum – Purchase a membership or Donate
* Hjemkomst Center – Become a member or donate
* Fargo Theatre – Donate
Show support to your favorite serves by increasing your tips or by donating to an FM Area Foundation fund, an organization that creates funds to help local people in need at all times, but especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Several community response funds have been established to help charities, healthcare/first responder employees, and hospitality workers as well. Follow the links below for information on how to help.
FM Area Foundation Funds
Dakota Medical Foundation
5. Keep shopping
Amazon is convenient and super easy, but consider keeping your money local to support local business. Many of the local shops have online stores that you can get your favorite fashion finds or home decor delivered to your door.
Check out this Local Online Shopping Guide to browse and shop local!
A couple of shops like Unglued and Zandbroz are also offering personal shopping times, so give them a call to set up your time.
6. Start coloring
Harold’s on Main just came up with a coloring book of all things Harold’s that’s now for sale. The sales go back into a fund to help the staff of Harold’s on Main, and the coloring book is pretty sweet! Order the coloring book here to help this local business.
7. Share & encourage others to do the same
Post pics or write reviews for your favorite local businesses. Whether you’re sharing food pics pics on social media or sharing local businesses posts and updates, every little bit helps to spread the word to support local!
8. Get outside
Just because you’re social distancing doesn’t mean you have to stay inside! Go for a walk or sit on your patio to get some fresh air. There are tons of parks that are perfect for social distancing in nature. Here’s a list to help you explore Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo Parks.
You can also take a walk outside and appreciate local art by explore the murals of downtown. Here’s a mural guide and map to help you along the way.
Have you ever geocached before? Now’s a great time to try it! Think of it like a worldwide treasure hunt. Just so happens that Fargo-Moorhead has the first official GeoTour in North Dakota and Minnesota! Print off a passport and start finding the hidden treasures around the FMWF community in the FM Geotour.
9. Check out Virtual Experiences
Since gyms had to close a while back, many are now offering virtual classes that are included in your membership. Check to see if your gym (or one you’ve wanted to try) has virtual options on their websites or social channels.
Some options:
Downtown Yoga: does online yoga and mimosas
Fly Fitness: doing Facebook live videos for free in-home workouts
Icehouse Fit: live streams with no equipment needed
There are also live virtual concerts, virtual trivia, and tours of local attractions to be found.
* Take a virtual walk around Bonanzaville
* Visit Red River Zoo
10. Enjoy family time
This is a great time to spend uninterrupted time with your families. Play games, do a puzzle, go for a walk, anything to keep the spirits up!
11. Stay Positive
We’re all going to get through this! Enjoy the change of pace that’s inevitable with social distancing and working from home. Keep your routine as normal as possible and your spirits high and we will all get through it together (but 6 feet apart).