Social distancing is a strategy that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the New York State Department of Health recommend to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in communities across the country. Effective in limiting the spread of COVID-19, this approach also has a major impact on local businesses and employees.
While we don’t know how long social distancing will last, the CDC is recommending that gatherings of 50 people or more are avoided for eight weeks. The White House is recommending groups of 10 people or more are avoided.
So how do we support our community and give back to our favorite local establishments during the outbreak?
Here are a few things you can do:
You may have stocked up your pantry and freezer with groceries and are preparing to eat mostly home-cooked meals over the next several weeks, but many restaurants, bars, breweries, and wineries are suffering because of social distancing.
According to a Statista study of 60,000 restaurants, in-house dining at restaurants has declined 83% year-over-year worldwide from February to March.
It’s during times like these that we appreciate the service that our local eateries provide, and ordering takeout is one way you can support your local establishment.
Jump to the bottom of this article for our extensive list of establishments in the Greater Rochester area that are offering takeout options.
Gift cards represent a significant portion of revenue for local businesses. Gift Card Granny reports that nearly 93% of American consumers have either given or sent a gift card in their lifetime.
Gift cards are easy to purchase. You can visit a business’s website or often call them and purchase over the phone. One of the biggest advantages of purchasing a gift card is that you can use it any time.
Gift cards can help local businesses stay afloat during a time when people are being asked to stay home.
Bonus Tip: Know someone with a birthday coming up? Or haven’t yet thought of a Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gift? Many breweries, coffee shops, and other local businesses sell their own merchandise. Place an order early to help with their cash flow.
Writing positive reviews of your favorite local businesses is a thoughtful way to make an impact without spending money, and a good way to use some of your new time at home.
According to Bright Local, consumers are likely to spend 31% more on products and services from businesses that have excellent reviews.
Google, Yelp, and Facebook are some of the top review sites where you can write a review. Positive reviews give staff something to be happy about and they help drive customers to an establishment.
The elderly population in long-term care facilities are feeling the impact of social distancing. Many of them rely on visits from friends and family members, explained Scott Schabel, MD, Medical Director of Geriatrics at Rochester Regional Health.
But with state-wide restrictions in place at long-term care facilities, many seniors are missing out on the best part of their day: visits from family members.
Dr. Schabel said there are things you can still do to stay connected to seniors at nursing homes:
Video chat—using a video calling platform to talk to your loved ones is a personal way to keep in touch.
Send them a gift—ordering a gift online or mailing one personally is a nice way to share a connection.
Write them a letter or card—writing a letter is a touching way to communicate with the elderly, and they will be surprised by a physical copy of a personal, hand-written letter from someone they love.
Reminder: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, before writing a letter, card, or sending gifts.
Read more ideas to stay in touch with the elderly
During times of crisis, local charities and non-profit organizations work around-the-clock to provide basic services for those in need.
Support your local branch by volunteering (if possible) or donating to their cause.
Here is a list of local causes and charities that are accepting donations during the COVID-19 outbreak.
You can drop off masks, gift cards and other supplies at three locations across our health system.
RRH Administrative Offices
Riedman Campus - North Entrance
100 Kings Highway South
Rochester, NY 14617
Mon, Wed, Fri
10am - 2pm
Newark-Wayne Community Hospital
Receiving Dock - North Side Entrance
1200 Driving Park Avenue
Newark, NY 14513
Mondays - Fridays
9am - 2pm
Here is a master list of the establishments in the Greater Rochester area that are open for takeout! Are we missing any? Send us a direct message on Twitter @ROCRegional with the name and website and we will add it to the list.
Restaurants
Agatina’s, (585) 426-0510
http://agatinas.com/menu/
Antonetta's, (585) 328-1830
http://www.antonettasrestaurant.com
Bill Gray’s (All locations)
https://www.billgrays.com/
Cheesy Eddies, (585) 473-1300
http://cheesyeddies.com/
Chick'N Out, (585) 376-2468
chicknoutroc.com
Laughing Gull Chocolates, (585) 417-5858
http://laughinggullchocolates.com/
Mac’s Philly Steaks (All locations)
http://www.macsphillysteaks.com/
Marty's, (585) 371-5277
www.martysmeats.com
Max of Eastman Place, (585) 697-0491
www.maxrochesterny.com
Newbury Park Pastries, (585) 272-7864
https://www.newburyparkpastries.com/
Pane Vino, (585) 586-7000
https://panevinorochester.com/
Peppa Pot, (585) 546-7500
https://www.facebook.com/eatatpeppapot/
Scratch Bakeshop, (585) 360-4844
www.scratchbakeshoproc.com
Tom Wahl’s (All locations)
https://www.facebook.com/tomwahls/
Tully’s Good Times (All locations)
https://tullysgoodtimes.com/food-menu/
Veneto, (585) 454-5444
https://venetorestaurant.com/
Warfields, (315) 462-7184
https://www.warfields.com/
Rochester
Shema Sushi, (585) 325-6555
https://www.facebook.com/ShemaSushi/
The Owl House, (585) 360-2920
http://www.owlhouserochester.com/
Dinosaur BBQ, (585) 325-7090
https://www.dinosaurbarbque.com/
Jim’s on Main, (585) 442-4172
http://www.jimsonmain.com/
Dogtown, (585) 271-6620
dogtownhots.com
Aladdin's Natural Eatery, (585) 442-5000
https://www.facebook.com/aladdinsonmonroe/
Highland Park Diner, (585) 461-5040
https://www.highland-park-diner.com/
Gates/Chili
Jim’s Ground, (585) 413-0757
https://www.jimsground.com/menu.html
Pizza 151, (585) 594-2100
http://www.pizza151.com/node/3
North Chili Family Restaurant (585) 594-8877
https://www.facebook.com/northchilifamilyrestaurant/
Henrietta
Peppermint’s Restaurant, (585) 359-9169
https://www.peppermintsrestaurant.com/
Tony Pepperoni, (585) 334-2830
https://www.tony-pepperoni.com/
Tokyo Japanese Restaurant (585) 424-4166
https://www.facebook.com/pg/TokyoRochesterNY/posts/?ref=page_internal
Greece
Red Fedele’s Brooke House, (585) 723-9988
http://fedelesbrookhouse.com/menu/
Jim’s at the Mall, (585) 227-5520
https://www.facebook.com/pg/CriticsontheMall/posts/?ref=page_internal
Blue Ridge Grill, (585) 225-9440
https://www.theblueridgegrill.com/menus/
Texas Bar-B-Q Joint, (585) 352-4227
https://www.bbqrochester.com/
Fairport
Mulconry's Irish Pub & Restaurant, (585) 678-4516
http://mulconrys.com/sites/default/files/Mulconry's_May2019.pdf
Fairport Village Inn, (585) 388-0112
http://thefvi.com/
La Bella Mangia, (585) 364-0310
http://labellamangia.com/
McArdle’s, (585) 377-5520
www.mcardlesfairport.com
Penfield
Rosey’s Italian Café, (585) 385-5600
www.roseysitaliancafe.com
Sushi King, (585) 381-8999
www.sushi-king.com
5 Mile Café, (585) 586-2232
http://www.fivemilecafe.com/
Batavia
Eli Fish Brewing Company, (585) 343-0008
https://www.elifishbrewing.com/
Bourbon & Burger Co. (585) 219-4242
http://bourbonandburger.com/
El Rancho Viejo Mexican Restaurant (585) 343-3903
http://www.elranchoviejo.us/
Clifton Springs
Blue Ribbon Steakhouse, (315) 548-9206
http://www.blueribbonsmokehouserestaurantandbakery.com/
Henyo’s Gooney Village, (315) 548-3870
https://www.facebook.com/GooneyVillage/
Newark
Monterrey Mexican Restaurant, (315) 573-7493
www.mexicanocuisine.com
Canal View Family Restaurant, (315) 331-4803
http://canalviewrestaurant.net/
Wineries
(Online ordering, pick-up available)
Fulkerson Winery, (607) 243-7883
www.fulkersonwinery.com
Glenora Wine, (800) 243-5513
www.glenora.com
Lakeland Winery, (315) 487-2884
www.lakelandwinery.com
Living Roots Wine, (585) 383-1112
www.livingrootswine.com
Zugibe Vineyards, (315) 585-6402
www.ZugibeVineyards.com
Brotherhood Winery, (845) 496-3661
https://www.facebook.com/pg/BrotherhoodWinery/posts/?ref=page_internal
Breweries
(Online ordering, pick-up available)
Rohrbach’s, (585) 546-8020
www.rohrbachs.com
Rootstock Ciderworks, (315) 589-8733
www.rootstockciderworks.com
Swiftwater Brewing, (585)-530-3471
swiftwaterbrewing.com
Three Heads Brewing, (585) 244-1224
www.ThreeHeadsBrewing.com
Sager Beer Works, (585) 417-5404
www.sagerbeerworks.com
Naked Dove Brewing Company, (585) 396-2537
www.nakeddovebrewing.com
Distilleries
(Online ordering, pick-up available)
Black Button, (585) 730-4512
www.blackbuttondistilling.com
St. Lawrence Spirits, (315) 285-5224
saintlawrencepsirits.com
Milagro Tequila
https://www.milagrotequila.com/