Since the COVID-19 outbreak, small businesses have been struggling. There have already been thousands of B.C. businesses that have closed due to the pandemic this year. Some companies have got back on their feet now that many places have started re-opening, but for some, that’s not the case. This has probably already been said a thousand times, but this is why now more than ever, it is important to support local businesses. If your friend is a hairdresser, get your hair cut by them, if your friend is a bartender, tip them well, and if your friend owns a business, frequent their establishment. Our money as Canadian’s shouldn’t always be going to these huge multi-billion-dollar companies like Walmart and Costco, when there are many local places to buy similar things. When buying from a small business, you are helping a child take music lessons, you are helping put food on a family’s table, and you are helping pay someone’s bills, rather than helping a billionaire buy a brand-new Ferrari. Let’s take a look at a few local businesses you can support this year.
- Storm Crow Alehouse
This place is the place to be! “A sports bar but for geeks,” was how the owner Jason Kapalka envisioned Storm Crow. Jason is also a founder of PopCap Games, the makers of Plants vs Zombies and Bejeweled. In this bar, you’ll never see a hockey game on the TV, but rather a board game and cards on the tables. Everything in this place screams “nerd,” along with vibrant decor and the menus all themed fantasy, horror, and science-fiction. Storm Crow Alehouse features an upscale menu with delicious food for everyone, with gluten-free and vegan options as well. On top of that, they also offer local craft beers, ciders, spirits, and wines. Oh, and don’t forget their list of random shots! Roll the 20-sided die to decide your shot fate, if you’re daring enough. Roll a 20 and you get to keep the shot glass! Keep in mind, some of these shots are delicious, but for others, well let’s just say you can’t win them all. Check out their website for more information on this unique and entertaining nerd bar.
- Almost Famous Entertainment Inc.
This independently-owned karaoke company has taken a hard hit from COVID-19 this year. People love being able to go to their favourite bar and get up on the stage with the lights and the music and all their friends and just sing their hearts out. But due to the pandemic and Dr. Henry’s rules, karaoke is a no-go indefinitely. Good thing Almost Famous also does awesome Trivia nights and Bingo Beats all over the lower mainland! Do you know really random facts? Trivia might be the place for you! Testing your knowledge with Trivia themes such as The Office, Everything ’90s, Seinfeld, Star Wars, Music, and General! How fun is that? Oh, and did I mention you can win prizes? Amazing prizes like gift cards, bottles of wine, and a round of drinks! The link below shows all the dates and locations where Trivia is currently taking place. Check it out!
http://almostfamousentertainment.com/trivia.html
Now, if Trivia isn’t your thing, Bingo Beats is another fantastic option. Combining bingo, music, and fun, who doesn’t like singing along to your favourite songs, sippin’ on a cold drink, and winning awesome prizes!? Here is the link for dates and locations for Bingo Beats!
http://almostfamousentertainment.com/bingo-beats.html
Keep in mind these are both COVID friendly because you don’t even need to leave your seat. So, until karaoke is back, let’s support Almost Famous Entertainment in every way we can, and have fun while doing it!
- BC Urban Kitchen & Wine Bar
Nestled at the foot of Chilliwack Mountain, BC Urban Kitchen & Wine Bar is a trendy, family-owned bar, perfect for relaxing on the patio or having small gatherings with friends. This business is the first VQA wine bar in the Fraser Valley, meaning the only wine they carry is locally sourced B.C. wines! That’s not all, every beer and cider option are B.C. made as well. As for the kitchen side of it, BC Urban Kitchen & Wine Bar is known for their tapas, shared plates, and charcuterie boards. They offer many different options of charcuterie boards including smaller options, to 4ft long boards filled with delicious locally sourced farm to table ingredients. Some of the ingredients you can find on these boards are cheeses from Golden Ears Cheeseworks and Agassiz Farmhouse, Johnston’s meats, and Salt Spring Island preserves. On Wednesdays, they have a Wine Wednesday special featuring all Social Intrigue wines, (Red, White, and Rose) for $1 off a glass or ½ price bottles, as well as happy hour every day from 3:30 to 5:30. Sunday’s they offer a beautiful brunch menu with different specialty eggs benedict options and a brunch charcuterie board. Andrew Christopher Music is also playing some tunes on the patio every Sunday from 12-3 pm. This is the perfect place for a birthday gathering, a bachelorette party, or even just come to have a glass of rosé and read a book. Or go on your phone because they have free WIFI!
These are just a few of the awesome small, local businesses you can support during this Coronavirus outbreak. From Vancouver to Chilliwack and all in-between I hope there’s something that will pique your interest in this list. I’ve said it before and I’m going to say it again. Now is the time to support local. I don’t want to see Storm Crow close down before I get to spin the 20 sided die of doom or miss out on those drunken nights singing karaoke because Almost Famous had to stop their entertainment, and I crave the eggs benny from BC Urban Kitchen & Wine Bar weekly, I don’t know where I would go without it. So please consider these local businesses as your next outing. Please consider these families struggling to get by. Please consider making an impact in B.C. and let’s get through this pandemic together!