COVID-19 has impacted every member of the PA community. Restaurants across the globe have seen a major decline in revenue, and local businesses are among those hurting the most. Without the support of large corporations, they struggle to adapt to new distancing policies and generate necessary revenue. As necessity has often been called “the mother of invention,” many small businesses are getting creative to limit contact, keep customers safe, and keep their door open.
With increased traffic at grocery stores and limited supplies, it can be hard to cook every meal at home. Local restaurants want consumers to look to them for safe meals. There has been a shift in the food industry during this time with establishments making healthy practices and low contact delivery the main priority. Although businesses are working hard to make their product available in creative ways, revenue is still at an all time low.
Mike Neill –who works for the global distribution company, C.H. Robinson– explains the recent trends he has seen, “We have seen a sizable shift in where food is going. Our deliveries to grocery stores are way up versus restaurants.
Over the last decade people have eaten far more meals out than at home. That shifted overnight.” Families are doing their best to stay home and practice social distancing, but in doing so they have made grocery stores more overpopulated than ever before.
Providence Academy families can avoid another trip to the grocery store while showing their support for Minnesota businesses. Crisp and Green is a MN exclusive that boasts a healthy menu complete with salads, grain bowls, and smoothies. With locations scattered throughout the Twin Cities, it’s a convenient way to take a break from cooking for the day. All locations offer a curbside pick up option so customers won’t
have to leave the safety of their car. This limits risk of exposure and helps maintain a safe environment for workers.
Another local business that’s doing its best to stay open during this time is Nautical Bowls in Minnetonka. Build your own açaí bowl on their website, then place your order for contact free pick up. The smoothie bowl will be assembled, labeled, and placed on a table out back for your health and convenience. Helena Peppin ‘20 has visited Nautical Bowls many times since they implemented these changes, “The pick up is super easy and contact free. I love to drive down by the lake to
enjoy my food in my car.” Helena recommends adding lots of peanut butter if you decide to stop by for an açaí bowl.
Honey and Mackies, an ice cream shop owned by one of PA’s own, is hopeful that the love for sweet treats will persist through these trying times. With limited store hours, Honey and Mackies is able to safely follow social distancing guidelines. One twitter user commented, “Coming to Honey and Mackies is the most ‘normal’ we’ve felt in weeks.” Enjoy a sweet return to normalcy and help out members of the PA community at the same time!