How You Can Support Chapel Hill Businesses in Response to Coronavirus

**This post is regularly updated. Do you have updates or suggestions? Send us an email at editorial@chapelhillmagazine.com.**

With the threat of coronavirus spreading across North Carolina, it certainly brings uncertainty and unease for the entire Chapel Hill economy. While people quarantine themselves from society, small business owners and their employees are at stake of losing their incomes.

Here are some safe ways for us to respond to this crisis and support our local businesses and nonprofits, whether that’s making a quick donation or buying a gift card.

FIRST

Please visit the Town of Chapel Hill’s website for up-to-date information on Town services and facilities and assistance with food, utilities and other needs. 

The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro has compiled a list of frequently asked questions and resources including businesses counseling and access to emergency capital. Additionally, the Chamber held and recorded a webinar with a representative from the SBA. It is available to view here. On Wednesday, March 25 the Chamber hosted the annual Economic Outlook Forum featuring renowned economist, Dr. Michael Walden, which the public can watch here.

Emergency Loans and Grant Programs

• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation has launched the “Save Small Business Fund,” a grant program providing assistance to small businesses owners impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.The Foundation will distribute $5,000 grants to small employers (3-20 employees) in economically vulnerable communities in the United States and its territories. Grant applications open April 20. To qualify, your business must have been harmed financially by COVID-19, and must be located in an economically vulnerable community (check your zip code for eligibility). Grants will be awarded weekly on a rapid and rolling basis until all funds have been disbursed. Learn more about the “Save Small Business Fund” and apply for a grant here.
• Town of Carrboro’s Small Business and Nonprofit Emergency Fund (deadline was April 1)
• Orange County’s Emergency Small Business Fund
• Golden LEAF’s NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan Program, which is managed by the NC Rural Center
• U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans

If you need help completing a loan application, you can:

• Get free and confidential support from our Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC Center in Chapel Hill), which serves small and mid-size businesses located in Alamance, Chatham, Lee, Orange, and Person Counties. Schedule a free and confidential business counseling session now. 
• Find help from peers who have already completed their applications (log into online member networking platform and ask a friend)
• And for the SBA Economic Injury Loan, review this step-by-step instructional Slide Deck or watch this helpful video.  

Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau has put together a succinct overview of ways to support local businesses as they face the pressures and challenges that COVID-19 is putting on companies and organizations. Find that list of ideas here.

The Orange County Board of County Commissioners approved an Emergency Small Business funding program for Orange County small businesses experiencing revenue loss due to the coronavirus pandemic in the form of both grants and loans. The County will offer zero interest loans up to $20,000 with loan repayment over five years to eligible applicants. Grants will be awarded up to $5,000 to eligible applicants. An applicant can receive a maximum amount of $25,000 in the form of a loan and grant. The County will accept applications through April 10. Small business can apply here for this program. 

The computer resource rooms at both Orange County Department of Social Services locations are closed to assure physical distancing and safety for visitors and staff. Employment workers will remain available over the phone. People can apply for unemployment insurance at des.nc.gov, and for Food and Nutrition Services, Medicaid or Work First benefits at epass.nc.gov or over the phone. For any additional questions about these programs, email dssinfo@orangecountync.gov

Orange County Public Transportation will continue to operate the Hillsborough Circulator from 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. daily effective April 1. Transportation to medical appointments can be made by appointment only. For more information, visit orangecountync.gov 

DONATE

Child Care Services Association (CCSA) established the COVID-19 Relief Fund to help families and child care programs in North Carolina with urgent and long-term expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. CCSA will work with local agencies to distribute funds in local communities.

CORA Food Pantry in Pittsboro is asking for donations of paper grocery bags, canned veggies, fruits, and proteins, such as tuna, chicken, SPAM, and ham. In addition, kid-friendly food donations, such as single-serve mac and cheese, applesauce, cereal bars, fruit snacks, cheese and crackers and juice boxes. Drop-off food at 40 Camp Drive in Pittsboro Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Send monetary donations to CORA at PO Box 1326, Pittsboro, NC 27312 or give securely online.

The Orange County Department of Social Services is collecting non-perishable food items at both locations to support those in the community most impacted by COVID-19. Donations of food, cash and gift cards can be made directly to DSS, which will remain open throughout the pandemic to serve families in need. Online donations can be made through the Community Giving Fund. For more information, email donations@orangecountync.gov 

The Frankie Lemmon Foundation has created a Triangle Restaurant Workers Relief Fund in an effort to support restaurant workers in our community. Recipients include wait staff, bartenders, hosts, managers, delivery drivers, cooks, catering staff, dishwashers, and other restaurant and bar workers. If you have questions, please call the Foundation at 919-845-8880

The American Red Cross now faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during this coronavirus outbreak. The Durham Donation Center isn’t far away or you can head to the UNC Health Care Blood Donation Center to donate platelets.

The Wooden Nickel and the Hillsborough and Orange County Chamber of Commerce have partnered to create a Virtual Tip Jar – an initiative to raise money for service workers who are out of work at this time.

A Duke University-led task force is working to ensure Duke Health and UNC Health do not experience a medical equipment supply shortage by using Duke’s 3D printing technology to create reusable medical face shields. The 3D printed face shields were tested in a simulation lab and met safety standards, proving that they can be sanitized for re-use. Duke is partnering with the nearby UNC Chapel Hill on producing the face shields, which will be distributed at both Duke and UNC Health Systems.Since the need is high for rapid turnout of the shields, Duke and UNC plan to turn the production of the final design over to manufacturing facilities, where thousands of shields will get created each day.

UNC Health is asking community organizations, corporations and individuals to donate much-needed medical supplies to help protect workers and patients across their respective systems. Currently, the biggest need is additional Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). Please note that only new and unopened packages of supplies will be accepted. Email UNC Health at covidsupplies@unchealth.unc.edu if you have items to donate. Handmade items will not be accepted. For more information click here. 

UNC Health will consider any of the following items for donations:

Most Urgent Needs

• N95 masks
• Surgical masks
• Surgical masks with shield
• Nasal swabs for medical use

Other Needs

• Disinfectant
• Eye protection, including safety goggles/glasses
• Face shield
• Gloves, disposable
• Gowns, disposable
• Hand sanitizer, greater than 60% alcohol
• Hand soap
• Shoe covers, disposable
• Handmade masks

UNC Health drop-off locations and hours of operation include UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont, Monday, March 23 – Saturday, March 28, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

(Also UNC Health Learning Street – 2001 Carrington Mill Blvd., Morrisville; UNC Wellness Center at Northwest Cary – 350 Stonecroft Ln., Cary and Rex Wellness Center of Raleigh – 4200 Lake Boone Trail, Raleigh.)

The Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill is celebrating 32 years of supporting children injured and ill children across North Carolina. They would like for you to join their celebration by using the hashtag #HopeGrowsAtHome alongside an encouraging and loving message.

LOCAL NONPROFITS ADJUST AS COVID-19 IMPACTS SERVICE 

Habitat for Humanity of Orange County’s High Heels and Hard Hats Fashion Show was rescheduled to Saturday, August 29 at the Rizzo Center. The goal of the event is to raise enough money to build a home in Orange County. Donate or buy tickets today to help keep critical construction efforts going. Donate or buy tickets here.

On March 18, Orange County Animal Services (OCAS) transitioned to appointment-based services. The public cannot access the OCAS facility without an appointment made in advance. Services requiring appointments include but are not limited to: animal adoptions, animal visitations, animal recoveries, searches for lost animals and animal surrenders. Animal control and shelter operations staff can be reached by phone and emails during normal business hours. OCAS asks that the public delay surrendering animals and encourage them to take advantage of online services such as licensing payments, filing reports for lost or found pets and browsing available animals. To make an appointment or ask any questions, please call the facility’s main number: 919-942-7387 

Paws4ever is open by appointment only in order to mitigate risks. Call 919-241-8438 ext. 103 or email adopt@paws4ever.org if you are interested in adopting a pet. Paws4ever dog training classes are postponed and the Paws4ever ReSale Store in Hillsborough is closed until further notice. 

Cat Tales Cat Cafe COVID-19 Relief Fund – Your contribution will allow Cat Tales Cat Cafe to pay rent and expenses.

The Inter-Faith Council for Social Service is continuing their food pantry for non-perishable groceries, operating their Community Kitchen for take-out hot lunch and dinner and accepting volunteers at their Community House Shelter preparing meals for residents. 

TABLE staff and volunteers will deliver a bag filled with healthy non-perishables and fresh food to the homes of as many of our 727 kids as possible once per week. Food will be left by the door to prevent any potential spread of the virus. Depending on our food supply, they will include additional food to sustain our kids through the closure. TABLE is seeking volunteers to enact doorstep delivery of healthy, non-perishable groceries and produce for over 600 students weekly.  Here’s how you can help.

Chapel Hill-Carrboro Meals on Wheels has changed its operations from 160-180 daily weekday deliveries to approximately 200 weekly or biweekly deliveries in an attempt to limit contact between people. To ensure recipients are still checked in on, the organization has established a volunteer phone brigade to contact recipients when they would normally be receiving a delivery. Over the first two weeks of serving during the virus, CHCMOW has expended twice as much funding as they normally would have during this time period and need donations. They are also asking for donations of emergency supply boxes, made up of basic household items and foods to meet recipients’ additional needs. Boxes can be left at their new location at 632 Laurel Hill Road. They are also collecting names of volunteers who are willing to help deliver or make recipient check-in calls. To volunteer, email volunteers@chcmow.org.

SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals is temporarily closed to safeguard the health of guests. Help by sending them a delivery of pantry staples or disinfectants from their Amazon Wish List.

El Centro Hispano has created a blog post with links to free resources for the community. You can donate to their COVID19 Crisis Response Fund to assist families who are being impacted.

CommunityWorx has closed their thrift shops until further notice. They’ll continue providing regular updates through their newsletter and Facebook page. The stores cannot accept physical donations at this time.

Orange Literacy is asking for donations of any amount to help ensure that they have enough online resources to meet the demand from their students and allow them to tackle the ever-changing needs in the community.

PORCH continues their Food for Families program, delivering non-perishable groceries and produce for over 465 families monthly. They ask for your continued support of local food pantries, in the form of donating non-perishable groceries and buying grocery gift cards. 

OTHER ESSENTIAL UPDATES

UNC’s Eshelman Institute for Innovation along with the Structural Genomics Consortium – a global public/private partnership that houses its U.S. lab at UNC – announced the launch of the Rapidly Emerging Antiviral Drug Development Initiative. The initiative will focus on discovering and developing drugs for clinical testing in anticipation of future viral pandemics.

Chapel Hill Children and Adolescents Clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays and Sundays. They are asking that all patients call the office prior to coming in so that they know your reason for visiting and can take appropriate precautions if necessary. Appointment only, no “walk-in” visits.  919-967-0771

Chapel Hill Eyecare is open from 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Friday, and closed Saturday and Sunday. Please email info@chapelhilleyecare.com for contact lens orders and call Dr. Sikes for eye emergencies at 919-968-4774

The office of Dr. Frederick G. Lehmann DDS, PA. is open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Wednesday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Thursday, and is closed on weekends, Friday through Sunday. For any inquiries call 919-967-9999

Clifton & Mauney Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry is open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday. To book appointments call 888-339-8108

Milltown Family Dentistry is open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, and 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. To book appointments call 336-525-5888

The Law Office of Spencer E. Schold, PLLC is open 8:30 a.m. – Friday 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and is closed Saturday and Sunday. 919-213-7511

CATCH UP ON YOUR READING

Flyleaf Books is open from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Sunday. Online ordering is also available. For more information on book events visit the website or call 919-942-7373

Epilogue Book Cafe is open from 8:30 a.m. – 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Sunday. For more information on book events visit the website or call 919-913-5055

Purple Crow Books is open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, and Sunday – Monday is closed. 919-732-1711

McIntyre’s Books is open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. 919-542-3030

LEAN INTO LEARNING

Spence’s Farm for Kids is open for summer camps, birthday parties, horse lessons and so much more! Farm visits are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. For more information on summer camp and other fun activity hours, visit the website or call 919-968-8581

The ArtsCenter is offering seasonal events, after-school programs for kids, and art classes for all ages. To help keep their programming accessible and employed artists afloat, make a donation.

My Little Farmer early education program is offering online classes and take-home kits. Activities include online storytime, music, classes, and supplies for at-home activities!

Class Half Full tutors are open and tutoring any students (K-12) who attend Chapel Hill/Carrboro schools via Skype or FaceTime. 919-951-7676

Morehead Planetarium & Science Center offers expanded exhibits and interactive experiences for children and families. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. 919-962-1236

School of Rock Chapel Hill offers in-person lessons from beginner to advanced levels. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 3 p.m. – 9 p.m., Friday: 3 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., and Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. 919-338-1011

Kidzu Children’s Museum will close for a minimum of two weeks, but currently offers programs team fun, daily things to do with your little ones at home! From STEAM’d Up! to Messy Morning, keep the kids engaged throughout the day. Make sure to check their Facebook daily for links to other fun activities from our partners. The museum is also seeking donations to weather this unprecedented time. 

GET AHEAD ON HOLIDAY SHOPPING

Have a favorite local boutique, gift shop or craft store? Check their website for ordering online.

Monkee’s is reopening to the public Friday, May, 8 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. The store will only allow five customers in the store at all times and hand sanitizer and disposable masks will be available upon customers entrance. In addition to reopening, Monkee’s will continue to offer customers shopping via phone, website and social media orders for curbside pickup.

EV Gifts paused production in March to protect its employees and community. However, its online shop is still open. On its website you can find new gift cards and a “candle subscription club,” which helps the gift shop throughout the year. The store is also offering new products such as DIY candle making kits and DIY soap kits. “They are a great crafting activity for anyone to do at home, including kiddos (with parental supervision, of course),” EV Gifts said in an email. For inquiries or questions, email gifts@evnc.org.

Light Years Jewelry store is temporarily closed, but open for online shopping.

Rumors boutique in Chapel Hill has reopened daily from noon to 6 p.m. At this time, shoppers are required to wear masks and no more than 10 customers will be allowed inside the store at one time. Clients may sell their used clothing to Rumors for store credit only.

SallyMack is closed to walk-in business, but is offering plenty of alternatives. You can place an order through email or over the phone, and even virtually browse the store via FaceTime or Skype with Sally. Curbside pick-up is available by appointment, or items can be shipped directly to your door.

Sophia’s Boutique is temporarily closed but is offering 20% additional value on gift cards purchased online. It’s also offering personal styling via facetime and telephone.

SOUTH Chapel Hill offers customers shopping through their website, Instagram and email at sales@southchapelhill.com or call at 919-240-5475 for phone orders Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. SOUTH is happy to ship or meet you curbside with beautifully wrapped packages and gifts.

Uniquities on Franklin Street has a full online store for you to explore. Shop their daily sales here.

University Place partially opened on Saturday and now operates on limited hours, Monday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m., and Sunday, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Social distancing protocols include one-directional traffic flow, maintaining 6-ft distance and reduced store capacity. Face masks are highly encouraged.

Whilden reopened on Saturday, May 9. Customers can shop summer-ready styles by making a private appointment between 10 a.m.-noon or by coming in Sunday-Friday, noon-5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The boutique also continues to offer curbside pickup and approval boxes. 

Whitehall Antiques is closed, but the antique shop is answering phones, responding to emails and operating digitally through its online inventory. The shop is running an online sale through April 12 with more than 300 items marked down by 35-50%. They can ship, arrange deliveries and hold pieces until the crisis abates. Call 919-942-3179 for further information or email to whchnc@aol.com.

A LIFETIME OF BEAUTY

Hair and makeup salons, nail salons and massage therapists are just a few of the businesses in the beauty and health industry that will be hurt during the Coronavirus outbreak. One of the best ways to support these local businesses is to purchase gift cards for usage on a later date. Think about showing a friend or family member that you love them with a surprise gift certificate to the spa.

• Mina’s Studio closed March 23. In addition, Mina’s is bringing back their gift card promo – for every $100 gift card purchased, customers will receive $20 free. 
• To The Woods is closed until March 31.
• Moshi Moshi is closed until March 31. 
• Citrine Salon is closed until April 4. 
• Monarch Brow and Facial Studio closed March 18. Order an e-gift certificate here.
• d b sutton & company‘s hair salon is closed indefinitely, but its wine shop is still available for curbside pickup or delivery to local addresses.

Aesthetic Solutions re-opens with limited operations May 18. The practice will resume services in phases with the hope of returning to normal operations by Sept. 1. Phase 1 begins with neuromodulator (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin and Jeuveau) and filler visits only. Aestheticians resume all services except laser hair removal on June 1.

Dermatology and Laser Center of Chapel Hill resumed in-office appointments May 12. Telemedicine appointments and curbside pickup services are still available.

VIRTUAL FITNESS

Afraid of breaking your fitness routine? Don’t worry, local gyms are taking their classes online. Support local fitness centers by continuing to take classes from your home by streaming them online. You can also purchase gift cards and memberships for a later date. 

Carrboro Recreation & Parks compiled a list of virtual programming and social distance learning activities! Check out this link for updates and additional programming opportunities.

Dogwood Studio offers online yoga classes and meditation workshops. Private classes are also available. The studio recently launched Dogwood Learning Community, a library of recorded sessions, each designed around a specific theme such as fascia, chakras, sleep and more.

O2 Fitness has assured members that their membership will be extended for the same period that the club will be closed. In addition, O2 Fitness is excited to offer digital and at-home fitness resources, including live streamed boot camps, virtual personal training and on-demand classes such as O2 authentic programming, Les Mills and Growga. 

Franklin Street Yoga is offering 50-minute Facebook live yoga sessions and is currently working on filming classes to put online for members without Facebook. Triangle Yoga has updated their schedule to include online classes. Thousand Petals Yoga has live stream and online classes coming soon. Dogwood Studio is offering all services online, live from your living room. Group classes, private sessions and workshops. Visit their website for a video orientation, class schedule and more.

Pure Barre in Meadowmont is allowing members to freeze their accounts or join their live stream classes from the safety of home. 

Barre3 is also offering live streamed classes and offers members hundreds of online classes via barre3.com.

Progression Climbing is closed through March 30.

Orange County Sportsplex is closed as of March 16 for at least two weeks. Members won’t be charged for a month, but the Sportsplex has received some requests to forego this postponement to serve as a donation to the Sportsplex to help pay for staff and other expenses while they are unable to generate revenue.

Orangetheory Fitness has launched At Home workouts to continue facilitating a sense of community amongst not only members, but non-members too. These daily workouts range between 30 and 60 minutes long, were created by our fitness experts and incorporate household items as equipment. The workouts will be available each day on the Orangetheory Fitness YouTube channel, Orangetheory Fitness website and Orangetheory Fitness app.

THE SWEAT LAB froze all memberships and launched online classes. If you have any questions, email info@sweatlabstudios.com.

KEEP THE ARTS ALIVE

Now is a great time to commission local artists for custom art. Use the CreativeOrange Directory on the Orange County Arts Commission website to find a diverse list of artists in our area. You can also donate to the Orange County Arts Support Fund to support artists and arts workers who are out of work and art organizations that are closed. 

The ArtsCenter closed. Consider making a donation to help them reschedule and further promote local artists during and after the Coronavirus outbreak.  Or sign up for ArtSchool Online classes, with ArtSchool instructors teaching students over Zoom.

FRANK Gallery has postponed its 10th annual off the wall fundraising gala. It also offers gift cards. The gallery reopens June 4.

Local 506 has made the decision to close and cancel or reschedule all shows through at least the end of March, if not into April. They’ve set up a GoFundMe for their employees. 

Nightlight canceled or postponed all events effective March 13. You can donate to help them pay their rent and staff here. 

Save the Cave (Again) – If you are in a position to help, we hope that you will not only donate generously to the Cave, but as well to other bars and music venues that are suddenly left with no source of income.

Cat’s Cradle canceled specific show dates, while others will be rescheduled. Preorder tickets to see some of your favorite, or undiscovered, musicians this fall and winter.

Chelsea Theater is temporarily closed. The Chelsea Theater is continuing their entertainment and educational mission by offering virtual screening opportunities every week. They ask for community support through immediate, tax-deductible gifts, renewal of memberships and purchasing of gift cards and t-shirts that are available with free shipping.

Varsity Theatre is temporarily closed.

Carolina Performing Arts (CPA) launched CPA at Home, a new initiative in which CPA will post content related to its canceled spring season to its website. Follow along with #CPAatHome – if there is anything you’d like to see in particular, email carolinaperformingarts@unc.edu 

Teachers and parents – take your kids on a virtual “field trip” to the North Carolina Symphony! To help students keep music education in their lives at home, the Symphony has released a virtual broadcast of their Education Concert and companion Student Book. Go on a virtual journey to learn “What Makes Music, Music,” as the Symphony performs music by William Grant Still, Beethoven, Brahms and more! Access the video and Student Book with password 1932 at N-C Symphony dot org slash Virtual.

Film Fest 919 has announced a special “Social Distancing Film, Song, & Photo Festival” as well as a Virtual Film Series with live Q&As featuring filmmakers and friends.  Craving a creative outlet? Film Fest 919’s Social Distancing Film, Song & Photo Festival is looking for works written, produced and starring their stay-at-home crews. Participants are invited to enter short films, reenact a scene or song from a favorite film, create a music video or create a photo montage that tells a story.  Entries should be posted to personal social media pages using the tag #FF919 now through May 15. The 10 entries with the most likes, shares and comments will be presented at a special event during the annual Film Fest 919 set for Oct. 14 – 18, 2020.

• The festival is also among a group of organizations chosen to partner with NEON Films to release the critically-acclaimed documentary, The Painter and The Thief on Friday, May 22. Film Fest 919 will provide a dedicated link to those who sign up, inviting them to download and view the film for $3.99. The festival, in turn, will receive proceeds from each download, providing much-needed funds to keep the organization sustainable.

GIVE YOUR HOME AN UPDATE

During coronavirus quarantine, take a look around the house or apartment and think about updating your decor or interior design! Call up a Chapel Hill interior design company and ask if they are accepting virtual appointments via online video chat or FaceTime. A few local interior design companies include Steel Roots Home Decor, emma delon, CK Home Design Group, Sew Fine II, Fresh Air Designs and ML Designs. 

The Catherine French Design team expanded its business to include an entire line of Virtual Design Services. It’s called “CFD Live: Design in Real Time”, and includes a variety of great options for clients to access their professional design team completely from home. Visit their Virtual Design Services webpage and an introduction to the new services on our business blog found here.

Christy O’Hara of Steel Roots Home Decor is also:

•  volunteering to pick up and delivery groceries/pharmacy items to those who are in lockdown
• offering 35% off all outdoor and indoor furniture 
• offering a one-hour online design consultation that includes a floor plan for $49 – the video conference fee can be used toward the purchase of furniture. (Customer must provide measurements for floor plan.) 

Hobbs Architects in Pittsboro is 3D printing face shields for essential workers. As of April 9, they have delivered over 40 face shields to Duke Hospital and the VA in Durham.

TAKIN’ CARE OF BUSINESS

Fifth Season Gardening Co. is open! Customers can shop inside the store with strict adherence to social distancing and proper guidelines, order online for low contact curbside pickup or shop on the web store and have items shipped. Fifth Season specializes in organic gardening and offers seeds, vegetable and herb plant starts, fruit trees, ornamentals, sooil, fertilizer and pest control. They also carry a full line of “urban DIY” products that allow you to make your own beer, wine, vinegar, cheese and more along with canning fermenting and other urban homesteading activities. Find out more on their website.

Walk & Wag pet walking and sitting business is open and taking care of the pets that belong to those serving on the frontlines of COVID-19. 919-619-4456

Elite Auto Body is open and ready to write you an estimate. Estimates can be emailed to customers, vehicle pickup and drop-off offered and sanitization. 919-942-2070

Chapel Hill Tire is offering two new services to protect its customers and employees. Curbside service allows customers to drop their cars off without having to come into the lobby. Pick-up and delivery services provide a no-contact solution for those who must or would prefer to stay in their homes or offices. Both services employ a text-to-pay feature to further minimize face-to-face transactions. Call 919-391-3965 for more info.

William Travis Jewelry knows that customers have custom pieces and repairs needed for special dates. They are offering curbside pickup if customers need to pick up a repair or custom order. Give them a call to let them know you are outside the store.

Carr Mill Mall Elmo’s, The Station and B-Side Lounge are closed for a few weeks and will reopen when it is safe to do so. Carrboro Pizza Oven, Venable Bistro, Tandem, Thai Station and Oasis Coffee are offering takeout and delivery. All but Oasis Coffee are offering curbside pickup, and there are now four curbside pickup locations. There are no plans to close the mall, and retail stores still operating are Rings True Jewelers and The Fragrance Shop.

GOOD RESOURCES

Virtually visit the North Carolina Zoo, aquariums, a state park or state historic site through an NC360 tour. Listen to podcasts on history, art and nature; watch concert videos from some amazing North Carolina artists; watch educational and fun Livestream presentations; virtually tour museum exhibits; or watch past concerts from the North Carolina Symphony here.

With COVID-19 affecting schools, students, and staff worldwide, many educators are transitioning to remote learning — many for the first time in their teaching careers. To provide support during this time of transition and uncertainty, Participate Learning created the United We Teach Community of Practice. This has been designed as a global gathering place for educators to support one another, to access ideas and information, to share best practices for teaching online, and to provide forums where educators can communicate and interact with each other.

Bold Companies created a Small Business Blog to share updates and resources to help other small businesses navigate “trying to survive during these trying times.”