The warm weather is in full effect and it looks like we will be spending lots of our summer in our backyards. Now is the perfect time to explore your local nursery and garden center, many of which are offering curbside pickup and even delivery. Whether you want to plant some window boxes with flowers, start some seeds or grow a victory garden, these stores have you covered!
This long-time Bay Area garden center with over a dozen locations is open for business in most of its locations. They offer online ordering with contactless pickup or delivery at some of their locations for those who are immune compromised. Check here for the current opening status and hours.
Locations in San Francisco, Contra Costa and Marin Counties Online: sloatgardens.com
Matt Day, the founder of Planterday, opened his dream plant shop that curates and teaches just as Coronavirus hit. Support this small business by ordering his unique plants for delivery in the Bay Area. We especially love these Kokedamas (a Japanese term for "moss ball") and the test tube cuttings that both come with an awesome display. Order via the link on the Planterday IG page.
Succulence is a boutique garden and gift shop specializing in succulents. During the COVID-19 crisis, Succulence storefronts are closed to foot traffic but they are offering virtual shopping experiences using FaceTime, Zoom or Skype (your choice!). They are also offering curbside pickup, Bay Area courier service or USPS shipping.
Nestled in the heart of historic San Rafael, West End Nursery has proudly been a Marin County landmark for over 100 years. They are open shortened hours (9 a.m.-4 p.m.) for shopping with new veggies arriving daily. Bonus: they are a Big Green Egg authorized dealer if you need to up your BBQ game.
The three locations of SummerWinds are open to the public and selling vegetable, annuals, fruit trees and more to eager gardeners on the Peninsula and South Bay. They will continue to offer home delivery and you can shop their online catalog to see what's available.
Hydrangeas, Hibiscus, Michelia Champacas and so much more! You can find these and helpful staff at this Cupertino garden center that has been a part of the neighborhood for generations. They offer delivery all over the Bay Area. Swing by to see what's in stock for this year's victory garden.
1361 S. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino, CA Online: yamagamis.com
Laughing at Mayor Lightfoot’s absolute legend memes is bringing us a good bit of humor, but as the weeks of sheltering tick on, we’re all missing our favorite things about Chicago. The museums, the sports, the food. . . you name it, you’re craving it. Until you can get back at it, deepen the sag in your sofa and spend a staycation indulging as a family.
Visit Chicago's Impressive Museums
Chicago History Museum
Never again should we take for granted the world-class museums we have at our fingertips. As Chicago remains on lockdown, our city’s best and brightest museums have stepped up to the virtual plate with online opportunities galore. From penguins at Shedd to dinos at Field, gather the fam, get comfy and Visit Chicago’s Brightest & Best Cultural Gems. . . Virtually!
Scratch that Baseball Itch
White Sox
There’s no crying in baseball. . . until the season start is postponed, that is! The Chicago White Sox realizes that baseball taking a temporary hiatus has left some tortured fans, so they’re easing the pain for their littlest loyalists with virtual activities. Read our story Get Your Baseball Fix at Home with the Chicago White Sox to stay connected until you can take the family to a ballgame again.
Indulge in the Best Popcorn in the World
Garrett Popcorn Shop
It speaks volumes when people are willing to queue up outside in a Chicago winter for popcorn. Garrett Popcorn Shops is just that good. Every local loves it and every tourist has it on their to-do. Garrett's storefront locations are closed, but you can have it shipped directly to your stoop.
During Chicago parades, Garrett hands out Parade Packs, which are snack-size bags of their iconic Garrett Mix. They've made these popular 2.2-oz snack-size bags in a 12-pack, as well as their usual line-up of offerings, available for home delivery.
Have Playtime with Great Wolf Lodge
Great Wolf Lodge
Indoor waterparks are shuttered, but Great Wolf Lodge is still delivering howlin' good times. While they aren’t able to entertain your family in the hands-on way they’re accustomed to for now, they created tools to address the emotional and physical well-being of families who are sheltering-in-place. For kitchen challenges, arts and crafts projects, science experiments and more, read A Road Map to Home-Based Fun with Great Wolf Lodge.
Squeal with Delight at Zoo Animals
Brookfield Zoo
Though all of us are working overtime keeping our distance from one another, it doesn’t mean we’re completely confined to our own 4 walls. Why not go bananas with the monkeys at Brookfield Zoo? Or set off on a safari led by the keepers of the Lincoln Park Zoo? Read our story Get Your Animal Fix with a Virtual Zoo Visit and find out how to visit your most beloved critters in your very own home.
Chicago is known for its stellar comedy shows, and The Second City is one of the most famous comedy venues in the world. No need to go through laugh-withdrawals as The Second City created The Really Awesome Improv Show. This high-energy improv show is fun for all ages, and relies on audience suggestions and participation, very "Whose Line is it Anyway," but 100% kid-friendly. Tune in every Thursday at 1 p.m., Apr. 23-May 28.
The best kind of pie is pizza pie! Everyone knows, we're looking at you NY, that Chicago has the best pizza in the country. We may even be a contender for world domination. Whether you prefer deep dish, stuffed, or thin with that hard-to-resist crunch to the crust, most neighborhood favorites are open for delivery and/or pickup.
Visit Lou Malnati's website and donate to help feed healthcare workers or order pick-up or contactless delivery from Jet's Pizza'scity locations and for every large, regularly priced pizza purchased on Mondays and Tuesdays through the end of April, using code FRONTLINE, the local stores will donate a pizza.
Signs of spring are everywhere! This would normally be a great time to hit the area conservatories, parks and arboretums to enjoy the colors and the sweet scents. But, alas, no can do!
Garfield Park Conservatory brings the experience into your home by giving you access to your very own, on-demand tour guide. Use your smartphone or tablet and cruise at your own pace. New tours are added regularly and there are options that make it fun for the whole family.
The online resources offered by Morton Arboretum include virtual walks, horticulture classes, self-guided family play and more!
Instead of the real-life walking tours, Chicago Detours usually offers, now you can join them on 20-minute talks called “Historic Happy Hour for Curious People” on weekdays and 40-minute live, virtual tours on weekends. These online talks and tours are free, with a $5-$15 suggested donation to support this small business. Past talks are viewable on Youtube for a limited time.
Lakeview's Music Box Theatre is a historic gem that oozes character reminiscent of a simpler time—and who doesn't dream of simpler times these days? They've collaborated with frequent partners to bring you viewing-at-home options. Sales will support the Music Box during this closure and you get to watch new films that otherwise wouldn't be available. To get the full experience, cue up Dennis Scott on the Music Box Organ before you watch your film!
Snag a Bit of Culture in your Finest Stretchy Pants
LookingGlass Theatre
On a normal day, everywhere you turn in Chicago there's a live theater performance to take in. With that coming to a screeching halt, theater buffs are missing sitting in the seats and watching a story unfold in front of their eyes. Lookingglass Theatre is helping to ease the pain with their The Infinite Roompodcast, videos created from Lookingglass performers recorded at their homes, and online classes for kids to keep those creative juices flowing.
The Belmont Theatre District is an absolute powerhouse, serving as home to more than 50 theaters that put on more than 100 shows per week. With the Covid-19 closures, many of the theaters are providing digital, remote and streaming programming, discoverable on their joint Belmont Theatre District website.
You can also find a plethora of virtual events and activities on our events calendar.
No doubt your little quarantine buddy’s rotation of toys is getting a bit played out after all this time spent at home. Liven things up with some new toys, books and art projects for kids, while also helping support local businesses. We’ve got the best kids entertainment and toy recommendations from Geppetto’s Toys, a must-read from Warwick’s bookstore, top picks from San Diego’s coolest family-owned toy boutiques, and a few art studios offering to-go kits for kids. Read on for where to access the fun via curbside pick-up or delivery to your door!
Keep ‘em busy! For over 40 years Geppetto’s Toys has been providing unique toys for San Diego kids. To order toys for your kiddos, you can go online or call your local store. Your goodies can be delivered (via ordering online) or you can stop-by for curbside pick-up.
Geppetto's Toys' owner Brian Miller said parents are welcome to call ahead so their Toy Experts can customize boxes for families for pick-up. Call 760-632-1107 for this service.
Here are some of Brian Miller's recommendations for fun toys to bring home:
Genius Square $24.99 Fun, FAST, and Challenging! Grab a grid, roll the dice to see where to put the blockers (there are 62,208 possibilities!), and race to fill the open spaces with game pieces. It reinforces spatial reasoning, logic, and critical thinking skills. For 1-2 players. For ages 6 yrs-adult, from Mukikim.
Ultra Glow Air Power Soccer Disk $19.99 It floats and hovers on a cushion of air, with a built-in "electric colors" LED light show that never burns out! A lively and fun combination of soccer and air hockey that develops coordination and cooperative play. The soft outer rim is furniture friendly and gives amazing rebound! Requires 4 AA batteries. For ages 6 yrs-teen, from Toysmith.
Pencil Nose $24.99 Those with a nose for drawing will sniff out this hilarious party game. Just picture drawing a trout with your snout, while others try to guess what it is–with time ticking. Rollicking fun every time. For ages 8 yrs-adult, from Fat Brain Toys.
Hey Clay Animals $17.99 Even beginners can make impressive "claymates!" Why? Because the kid-friendly app (the access code is in the box) shows you every little step. 18 cans of light, flexible, non-sticky, non-toxic, colorful clay air-dries to permanent status. For ages 3 yrs-teen, from Fat Brain Toys.
Glow in the Dark Rock Painting Kit $15.99 Make someone smile when they find a treasure in the dark! Special glow paints turn these real river rocks into works of art. For ages 6-12 yrs, from Faber-Castell.
Order by phone for curbside pick-up, or order online via website:
Locations with curbside pickup. Available Mon.-Hours., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Forum, Carlsbad: 760-632- 1107 Del Mar Highlands: 858-755-2100 4S Commons: 858- 674- 9990 La Jolla on Girard: 858-456-4441 Coronado: 619-522-0918
Help support the country's oldest family-owned and operated bookstore, located right here in La Jolla. Their collection is extensive and all-encompassing so you're sure to find a great read for all the bookworms in your brood. One of Warwick's top picks for young readers is the topically relevant book The Hero Next Door. This collection of short stories explores acts of bravery and features some of the best known children's authors, including R. J. Palacio (Wonder), Rita Williams-Garcia (One Crazy Summer), Linda Sue Park (A Long Walk to Water), and many more.
Order online: Warwick's is currently processing web and phone orders Mon.-Fri. from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Delivery notes: Phone or online orders may either be delivered, free of charge, in La Jolla or shipped via $2.50 flat rate shipping for books only.
Curbside pick-up! Inspire little Picassos to paint and create with Hot Spot Studio's To-Go pottery kits. What’s more, you can customize with paint colors, items and more. From dragon cups to teddy bears there’s tons to choose from––and prices range from $15-$46. If you want to join in the creativity, you can order the Kids & Adults Value Kit with 4 projects for $40. So call or email to schedule your order today.
Order by phone or email for curbside pickup: 858-312-1019 or thehotspotdelsur@gmail.com
Curbside pickup at 16445 Paseo Del Sur #135, San Diego, CA, 92127 Hours, Tues. & Thurs., Noon-4 p.m.
Support DIESEL, A Bookstore located at Del Mar Highlands by ordering ebooks through their website. One recommended series for half-pints ages 6-9 years-old is Nate the Great. Can Nate solve the case for his friend Annie? Perfect for beginning readers to follow Nate on his detective adventures.
DIESEL, A Bookstore has a large selection of books to entertain every age, from parents to young ones. They are available for easy online ordering and their book experts are available Mon.-Sat. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for front door pick-up and special orders.
Get ‘em happy painting the day away! Color Me Mine is offering same day delivery of their To-Go Kits, so you can have fun delivered right to your door. Popular items right now are unicorns, the Porsche car bank and the tic-tac-toe set. To-Go Kits come with brushes, pottery and paint and you can select 6 colors for each item you choose.
Help keep Sandcastle Tales afloat during the Covid-19 closure by ordering some adorable toys and books from this sweet, mom-owned boutique. Shop online for toys and books to be shipped to your home. We love their Dino Island creative dough set that lets littles have fun making dinosaur and tree molds and using crayons and coloring pages. The set includes a modeling tool, play mat, four tubs of modeling dough, five dinosaur molds, three tree molds, six crayons, and three coloring pages. It's all that you need to keep your kids entertained. Recommended for kids age 3 and up, $25.
Pretend play at its finest! Your little SoCal foodies will love playing with this toy Taco Van from local, family-owned and operated toy shop Magical Child. Magical Child has a wealth of amazing toys, plushies, books and apparel you'll love perusing. You can either pick-up their timeless, classic and entertaining toys curbside at the store in Encinitas or have them shipped to your door.
Taco Van, $17 Order by phone, Facebook or online. Delivery to your door, curbside pick-up or via online. 937 S Coast Hwy 101 Encinitas, CA 92024 760-633-1326
Paint and pottery! Your littles will love painting A Colorful Universe’s party animals. You can buy kits for curbside pick-up or delivery. They include your choice of pottery.
Order online for curbside pick-up or delivery:
Curbside pick-up at 1523 San Elijo Rd. #106, San Marcos, CA 92078. Hours, Mon., Weds., Fri. from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Delivery to San Marcos, Encinitas, Carlsbad. Mon., Weds. Fri. Noon-4 p.m.
With schools closed, Portland families under Oregon’s new shelter-in-place order are looking for ways to keep kids engaged, active, and happy at home. There’s never been a greater need for good-quality toys and games! But why give all your money to Jeff Bezos when you can support Portland’s small businesses during the crisis? Many local toy-stores are offering their lovingly-curated stock for purchase online, often with free shipping or home delivery. And don’t forget to stock up on gift certificates to support your favorite shops! Most retailers are offering 11% off all gift certificates purchased during the pandemic. Here are our top picks from the Rose City’s fave shops!
Made You Look toys is offering this sweet solution to Portland parents’ predicament: they will hand pick a selection of toys and activities just for your child! Place an order online and enter your child’s age and interests, and the best way to reach you. They will respond with a few ideas before finalizing your order and packaging it up for contact-free porch delivery (Portland only.) Or pay flat-rate delivery for shipping elsewhere in the U.S. How awesome is that?! (And P.S! They also offer a custom Easter basket option, plus gift guides for each age group.)
All ages
$40 Order online:madeyoulookpdx.com Delivery notes: Use code FREEDELIVERY for delivery in Portland; free shipping for orders over $100; $9 flat-rate for orders under $100
This super sturdy wooden pinball game is compact enough to fit on any kitchen table, but engaging enough for hours of play. This is a best-seller at local favorite Finnegan’s Toys, where they’re in the process of updating their online commerce site. If you don’t see what you want online, call or email to make a request or get a recommendation. You can call to order this affordable pinball machine, or check out the Electronic Air Hockey set ($30) for more makeshift-arcade magic.
Ages 6 and up
$48 View products online:finneganstoys.com Order by phone or email
503- 221-0306
orders@finneganstoys.com Delivery notes: Shipping: $7-10 within Portland, $15 outside of Portland, depending on product weight. (Inquire about no-contact porch delivery, available to limited local areas for a limited time.)
Photo courtesy of Black Wagon Toys
Giant 2-in-1 Pull and Push Stacking Wooden Train
Help your early walker with this colorful multi-functional toy. Stack the rainbow-colored blocks and help the wooden duck, bunny, and rooster passengers take a ride by either pushing or pulling the train along. Develops balance and motor skills, and encourages creative play– your little one can build towers with the blocks or sort them by shape and color. With quiet wheels made of non-slip rubber, it will entertain your child without driving you nuts.
Ages 12 months and up
$42 Online:blackwagon.com Delivery notes: Free shipping
Photo courtesy of Hammer + Jacks
Bow and Arrow by Two Bros Bows
The perfect toy to complement a home screening of Brave, this kid-safe bow and arrow set is affordable but still sturdy enough to provide many hours of (outdoor!) fun for your beginning archer. Developed by two brothers when they were 7 and 10 (!), the bows are made in the US and third-party tested for safety. Choose from a range of cool colors and designs!
Ages 6 and up
$18 Order online:hammerandjacks.com Delivery notes: Use code FREEDELIVERY for no-contact porch deliveries in Portland, or leave the discount field blank to make a donation toward the expense of gas; orders outside Portland, call or email to request drop-off; no shipping at this time.
Got your Easter baskets ready? Pop in a pair of these adorable stitched stuffed mice from Danish brand Maileg, made in the US and packaged in their own whimsical matchbox-turned-bed. These twin babies are just over 3” tall and come dressed in striped and floral onesies. Or choose from a range of other mousie characters, from baby brother mice to tooth fairies, nurses, even a camping mouse in a sleeping bag. Too cute.
Ages 3 and up
$30 Online:yoportland.com Delivery notes: Free shipping; delivery in Portland
Photo courtesy of Finnegan’s Toys
Gravitrax Starter Set
Boost your kids’ STEM skills and give them hours of fun! This open-ended building kit is geared toward older kids, and designed as a high-quality engineering toy. Use the components in the starter pack to build your own marble run, with pieces to make towers and runners to make marble tracks. Add to your collection as you go with additional Gravitrax kits.
Ages 8 and up
$60 View products online:finneganstoys.com Order by phone or email
503- 221-0306
orders@finneganstoys.com Delivery notes: Shipping: $7-10 within Portland, $15 outside of Portland, depending on product weight. (Inquire about no-contact porch delivery, available to limited local areas for a limited time.)
For the sparkly-everything kid in your house, set up a maker space with this handy gem-art kit. Use a stylus to set each gem into place in the “Friendly Fox” pattern (included), then slide your finished work of art into the white wooden frame for displaying. An adorable way to work on fine motor skills and boost creativity!
Ages 8 and up
$14 Order online:blackwagon.com Delivery notes: Free shipping
“Would You Rather?” and “Let’s Talk!” Card Games by Open the Joy
These affordable kid-oriented conversation cards can help open the lines of communication with a sad kid missing their friends during shelter-in-place. Get them thinking, laughing, and talking with a set of these colorful cards from inspiring company Open the Joy. Plus check out the other boxes in the series, from a magic set to origami, clay, and more!
Ages
$10 Order Online:hammerandjacks.com Delivery notes: Use code FREEDELIVERY for no-contact porch deliveries in Portland, or leave the discount field blank to make a donation toward the expense of gas; orders outside Portland, call or email to request drop-off; no shipping at this time.
Boox Picture Book Subscription from Powell’s Books
Missing the library? Sign up for a regular infusion of great literature, with a delivery of hand-selected hardcover picture books from beloved indie bookseller Powell’s Books. Every eight weeks, a cheerful blue box will arrive on your doorstep filled with one new featured book, a staff favorite, an info card/coloring sheet, and one extra surprise. Now that’s one subscription box you can open again and again!
Ages
$35.95 per box Order online:powells.com/boox Delivery notes: Free shipping within the U.S.
Photo courtesy of Hammer + Jacks
Garden Patch Seed Paper
Okay, so this is technically not a toy, but these seed paper patches pack hours of wonder into one gorgeously-illustrated package. Lay each of the five patches directly on top of soil in your garden or patio container, cover with a sprinkling of soil, and add water. Then watch your garden come to life with wildflowers, basil, chives, coriander, mint, and parsley. Your tiny gardeners will love watching the seeds grow while contributing beauty and flavor to your home. Grow a little hope together!
$9 Order online:hammerandjacks.com Delivery notes: Use code FREEDELIVERY for no-contact porch deliveries in Portland, or leave the discount field blank to make a donation toward the expense of gas; orders outside Portland, call or email to request drop-off; no shipping at this time.
This lightweight and beautifully simple wooden doll house is designed for on-the-go play, so your child can take their imaginative play from room to room and even outdoors for a backyard picnic. At just over 2 pounds, the compact house swings open on sturdy hinges and latches shut with a pretty clasp. Made from pinewood with a vegan leather handle for toting. Choose from a small selection of handcrafted furniture and dolls to complete the house, or let your child’s own dolls move in.
$75 Order Online:yoportland.com Delivery notes: Free shipping; delivery within Portland
Photo courtesy of Grasshopper Toys
Woven Wall Hanging Kit by Kid Made Modern
Make your own cheery wall hanging with this brightly colored weaving kit. The wooden loom and durable pipe cleaners come with easy-to-follow instructions, so your little weaver can make new designs over and over. Give your kids a hands-on lesson in fiber arts!
Ages 6 and up
$18
1816 NE Alberta
503-335-3131 (daily 10 a.m.-3 p.m.) hello@grasshopperstore.com
Insta @Grasshopperstore Online:grasshopperstore.com
Order online, by phone, email, or through Instagram. Delivery notes: Free shipping; curb pickup or home delivery in Portland (usually same day.)
Take a spin around the block, the yard, or even the hallway if you have enough space indoors. This is the mini version of the popular lightweight scooter, sized for 2-5 year-olds who can’t wait to ride just like the big kids. With an adjustable bar to let the scooter grow with your kid, three wheeled design for greater stability, and a quiet ride, this is a purchase your child can enjoy for years and hand down to younger children once they’ve outgrown it. Why not add on a pair of rainbow-colored handlebar streamers ($15) for maximum effect?
Up to 75 lbs
$90 Order online:hammerandjacks.com Delivery notes: Use code FREEDELIVERY for no-contact porch deliveries in Portland, or leave the discount field blank to make a donation toward the expense of gas; orders outside Portland, call or email to request drop-off; no shipping at this time.
For active toddlers and preschoolers, this cooperative game encourages players to roll the dice and dance! Get your little ones giggling and dancing on a rainy day, and develop motor skills while you play.
Ages 2 and up
$18
1816 NE Alberta
503-335-3131 (daily 10 a.m.-3 p.m.) hello@grasshopperstore.com
Insta @Grasshopperstore Online:grasshopperstore.com
Order online, by phone, email, or through Instagram. Delivery notes: Free shipping; curb pickup or home delivery in Portland (usually same day.)
Photo courtesy of Black Wagon Toys
Build a Grabber Bot Curious Engineer Kit
What could be cooler than building a robot? Your budding engineer can follow this 2-hour kit’s clear instructions to build a grabbing device from wood and string. Then they can use it to pick up lightweight items around the home. Empower your kid to make his own fun while developing concentration and motor skills.
Ages 12 and up
$38 Online:blackwagon.com Delivery notes: Free shipping
Want some good news for a change? Some of Portland’s most beloved local artists and small shops are finding inspiring ways to stay connected, support the community, and stay in business during the global pandemic. And they’re feeling the love in return! When social distancing is getting us down, it’s good to know our favorite shops and circles are still out there. Read on to learn how to connect with and support them, so we can all gather together again when the crisis lifts.
In response to the pandemic and out of concern for the most vulnerable among us, the most compassionate thing we can do as a community is give each other some space. But what do you do when your business is a community space?
So much more than a toystore, Hammer and Jacks’ adorable indoor playspace has become a vital community hub in the Foster-Powell neighborhood over the past four years. From lactation support groups and kindie music concerts, to storytimes in Spanish and birthday parties, there’s always been something happening. Until now.
“It’s been a complete 180,” Owner Jillian Sevick says. “To go from being a gathering space to figuring out how to stay connected while doing [social distancing.] But there has [also] been an amazing outpouring of community.”
Even before Kate Brown officially ordered businesses to close under the shelter-in-place order, Hammer and Jacks closed their doors and began doing curbside pickup and home delivery only. Things got quiet around the store, with neighbors picking up bundles of toys outside the store, holding their kids up so they could wave at “the toystore lady” through the storefront window. A week later, after a lot of conversation, they began discouraging people from coming to the shop and switched to no-contact porch deliveries only, opting not to overload the postal system with non-essential business.
For now, the orders are still coming and the family-run business is still making free deliveries. Sevick is grateful for the opportunity to support Portland families in a safe way. She says the community has really shown that they care, and that she wants to cry every time she hears that customers want to support small businesses, and not just Amazon.
An added bright spot? Many H+J customers have opted to include balloons with their toy delivery. Sevick recalls delivering a rainbow of balloons to one house, where a child was feeling a little sad about her “virtual birthday party. After dropping off the package, Sevick received a text with a video of the girl spinning and dancing in the balloons.
“It took her from feeling glum about having a birthday party under quarantine, to lighting up when she saw the balloons,” Sevick says. “So yes it’s nice to feel the community behind us and have a sense that we can still go on. And at the same time, for me it’s an emotional boost to still be able to do this work, and support families under quarantine.”
Hammer and Jacks
6416 SE Foster Rd.
Portland, OR 97206
info@hammerandjacks.com
503-894-9150
A Red Yarn show is about more than just the music. It’s about the friendships made between kids and parents alike, and the way the community gathers to sing together even during hard times. The Portland performer is known for his warm personality, lively puppetry, and lyrics that manage to combine folk style and fun with political awareness and responsiveness.
At a time when many families in Portland and elsewhere are grappling with major upheaval, music remains a salve. Though Red Yarn can’t perform as usual under the stay-at-home order, he’s begun reuniting with fans during livestream performances.
“My first few Facebook Live shows were pretty rough with lots of technical issues, but a few tech-savvy parents generously reached out, gave me some pointers, and now I have a decent little system going in my living room,” says Red Yarn, aka Andy Furgeson. “I’ve always been wary of technology taking the place of ‘real’ human connection, but I’ve been amazed how engaging and connecting these livestream shows have felt.”
One surprising result of the virtual concerts is reaching more introverted kids, who might not be as likely to get up and dance at his in-person shows. Three times a week he broadcasts to living rooms everywhere via Facebook Live, during times he would have been doing his weekly shows at Taborspace, Village Ballroom, and Mississippi Pizza (all of which are amazing businesses, Furgeson points out, that deserve our support right now.)
This concern for others is central for Furgeson and characteristic of Red Yarn shows. While there are several ways that families can donate to support Red Yarn’s livestream performances during the pandemic, Furgeson stresses that he wants everyone to tune in, whether or not they are in a position to donate.
“I would especially like to invite parents who have been laid off or who are facing a major loss of income due to the Coronavirus crisis to tune in guilt- and donation-free,” he says. “So many people are hurting right now, and will continue to be hurt by the economic and health impacts of this crisis. I know a lot of artists and small business owners or employees who can’t shift their model so easily, and I’m trying to do what I can to spread the love.”
Though connecting virtually is different, he says it’s wonderful to witness artists, community-leaders and activists use technology to help others make it through a scary time.
Talk about going above and beyond for your customers. When the shelter-in-place order hit Portland, Mimosa Studios Owner Austin Raglione had to think fast. How could they continue offering the experience of their full-service ceramic painting studio to families cooped up at home?
“We’d offered take home painting kits in the past, for parties and gatherings, so it was a model we already had in place,” Raglione says. “It’s been popular [since the order], and I think a lot of people who don’t know about it would love it. It’s a tough road for a lot of kids and families stuck at home, and this is a great craft to bond over together.”
Raglione remembers doing crafts with her mother when she was growing up, and she loves being able to make people happy by helping them create memories during a tough time. The Take Home Painting Kits ($20-$30) come with all the ceramics, paint, brushes, and instructions needed to paint right at home. The kits are delivered to Portland-area homes, along with free pick-up for finished works, to be taken to the studio for firing. Once Mimosa Studios is able to reopen to the public, customers can pick up their work, fired and ready for display or use in the home.
The kits are easy to order online, and they offer 10% off for families who have lost employment due to the crisis. You can choose from unpainted ceramic mugs, garden pots and gnomes, magical figurines, or bowls. If there’s a specific figure or item you’re looking for, you can call during business hours and staff will help find the right item to pack up for you. All materials are sanitized before delivery, and the paint is washable, so it’s safe to set up at the kitchen table.
After nearly 20 years in business, Raglione says Mimosa Studios has always been about building community, and that’s what she wants to focus on now, too. Before the pandemic, she enjoyed seeing people connect at the family-style table in their small studio. Now, closing the studio doors is the best choice she can make for the community, even though it’s hard.
“We want to be part of the solution, not part of the problem,” she says. “If people can support small businesses to whatever extent they’re able, that’s going to help everyone.”
Mimosa Studios 1718 NE Alberta St.
503-288-0770 (Wed. and Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.)
Delivery on Mon., Wed., and Sat. (free) Order Online: mimosastudios.com
For many of its devoted customers, the temporary shuttering of the whimsical red-painted children’s bookstore in the beloved Alberta Arts District came as a blow– one in a long string of necessary closures in response to the pandemic. Beyond the hand-picked selection of children’s books and the big green reading couch at the center of the store, there was the community of families that met weekly for multilingual story-times, craft sessions, and music circles. How could they carry that warmth and connection into the unexpected shift to social distancing?
“The hardest part for us has been getting our online ordering up and running,” says Owner Jennifer Green. “We have always prided ourselves on being an experience store: one in which you really have to go into our store in order to feel the magic. Now all that is not possible, so we are figuring out an online book ordering system.”
While they work on creating an easy-to-use online ordering system, the small team of booksellers is available daily by phone for book recommendations and ordering. With the ability to order just about any book through their distributors, including adult books, they encourage customers to pick up the phone and purchase a book. Clean and safe curbside pick-up is available, along with free porch delivery for homes on the east side of the river and reasonably close to the store.
“Customers have been so kind and concerned and we really feel embraced by our strong community of readers!” she reflects. “It has felt like one big group hug some days! (And) we will need continued support to get through this.”
One way to do that is to purchase a gift certificate for future use, which can be mailed or kept at the store for phone orders or once doors open again. Consider purchasing an audiobook through partner Libro.fm, with all sales supporting Green Bean Books. Already have enough books to last you through the crisis? Order a surprise bundle to be delivered to a friend in need of a little cheer, or purchase a stack of books to be delivered to the Children’s Book Bank, a nonprofit working to distribute books to kids in need in the Portland area.
Green Bean Books
1600 NE Alberta Street
503-954-2354 (daily from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.)
Online: greenbeanbookspdx.com
Call during business hours to place an order, and check back for online ordering!
You’ve stocked up on supplies and creative ways to pass the time with the kiddos, but what to do when you need something that you just don’t have at home? Don’t panic! Check out these local businesses and restaurants—filling your needs from coffee to gardening, toys to food, and even wine (really)—offering curbside-to-go and delivery services.
Little Shop has been categorized as an essential business by the City of Decatur due to providing educational materials to those sheltering at home. While their shop will remain closed to customers until at least April 8th, they’re still open for pickup at the shop, home delivery, and online sales. Just order through knowledgeable and helpful booksellers in the shop.
133 E Court Square # A, Mon.-Sat. from 10 a.m. to 4 pm.
Planning a Covid-19 Victory Garden or perhaps just ready to spruce up your containers for the spring and summer? Pike's has your back. Just fill out this online form and let them know what plants and gardening products you’d like for your home and garden. A local plant expert at your neighborhood Pike Nurseries will call you within 24 to 48 hours to walk through your request to ensure you get exactly what you’d like. They will provide a quote and finalize your order over the phone. From there you can decide if you’d like to pick up curbside or have it delivered to your door.
Kazoo To You delivers a surprise to your house once or twice a week, based on your selected budget and your children's areas of interest. Currently, their delivery radius is within 5 miles of their store at 3718 Roswell Road, plus Friday deliveries to the Roswell area. Learn more and sign up here.
As parents, we're not stranger to the drive-through. So, getting used to Atlanta's curbside or delivery dining options should be a breeze. Check out this solid list of Atlanta restaurants temporarily offering curbside pick-up and delivery by Eater, but note that it's not comprehensive. Have a favorite spot and a craving for something on the menu? Give them a call. They can advise you of their new pick-up and delivery protocols.
This delightful Westside wine shop will have call-in orders ready for curbside pickup, and every bag will have been previously disinfected. They ask that you either open your trunk or pick up your wine form the designated pick up location. Need help finding the right bottle? The Perrine team will gladly advise you based on your food pairings, wine preference, and budget!
1168 Howell Mill Rd., 404-254-5077
Online: perrineswine.com
Olympic skier Bode Miller and his wife Morgan welcomed twins in November—and now the happy couple is ready to share the boys’ names!
The birth of the Millers’ twin boys didn’t go exactly as planned. Bodie chronicled the wild delivery to Today back in November, explaining how the babies beat the midwives to the birth and arrived courtesy of a dad-assisted home delivery.
When asked about the boys’ names, Bodie told Today (in November, immediately after the birth), “We’ll come up with something. They have such different personalities right now, it’s going to be cool to kind of let them be for a little bit.”
It looks like the Millers have finally made their choice! Bodie recently revealed his twins’ names—Asher and Aksel. Even though the not-so-certain Millers have been calling their sons Baby A and Baby B, in an interview with Today’s Natalie Morales, Morgan said, “For the most part it’s official because they have stockings with their names on it.” Morgan also added, “We still go back and forth.”
As for Bode’s thoughts on the boys’ new monikers, the former Olympian said, “They’re great names. They’re definitely a fit.”
Amazon has your holiday shopping covered. The mega-retailer recently announced fast, convenient and easy ways to buy and ship everything on your family’s wish list.
With the holidays coming soon Amazon has expanded its Prime Free Same-Day Delivery service for millions of items delivered in 46 major metropolitan areas. Along with Same-Day service, Prime members can also enjoy free One-Day Delivery on more than 10 million items.
Maria Renz, Vice President, Global Delivery Experience, Amazon, said in a press release, “We know the holidays can be a busy time, especially with 2019 being one of the shortest shopping seasons. Our goal is to make the season as easy as possible for customers and deliver smiles at every turn, whether it’s shopping the largest selection available for free shipping, or getting holiday essentials delivered the very same day and more.”
Along with expanded Same-Day and One-Day Delivery, Amazon also offers shoppers the chance to choose their place of delivery option. Select from self-service Hub Lockers, in-store staffed pickup spots in participating Rite Aid, GNC, Stage and Health Mart store locations or at-home delivery.
If you don’t want a steady parade of Amazon boxes landing on your doorstep day after day, opt for Amazon Day. This allows Prime members to pick one day to receive all their orders.
These days, there’s a buffet of meal delivery services and apps that make ordering your favorite eats and having them brought straight to your door as simple as a few swipes and clicks. From old standbys to newcomers, we picked the best services that’ll have your family saying, “Let’s order in tonight!” Read on to feast on a smörgåsbord of food delivery apps!
Amazon Restaurants
Ever since Amazon launched its Prime service in 2005, online shoppers have come to expect super-fast delivery of everything from electronics to diapers. With the purchase of Whole Foods last year, Amazon signaled that it’s getting serious about food, too. Using the Amazon Prime Now app, hungry Amazon Prime members can order meal delivery via Amazon Restaurants, with orders arriving in an hour or less. Available in more than a dozen cities and with an always growing number of restaurant partners, Prime members also can use Alexa’s voice-shopping function on their Amazon Echo or Echo Dot to re-order previously ordered meals by saying a restaurant name or cuisine type. Best of all, delivery is free to Prime members.
Caviar is an easy way to order meals from popular, high-end local restaurants across the U.S. With options to order home delivery or at-restaurant pickup, Caviar serves up some of the best food in your city—from Asian takeout to Sicilian pizza. Restaurant partners include Momofuku, Blue Smoke, Eataly and The Meatball Shop, among others. Caviar’s free food ordering app is currently available in nearly two dozen cities and markets, including Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.
More than just a food-delivery app, Delivery.com aspires to be the one-stop shop for busy parents to order home delivery of local food, groceries and other household needs. In addition to browsing thousands of menus and ordering food from local restaurants, the app lets users order liquor, groceries and even schedule pickup and drop-off of laundry and dry cleaning—all delivered to your door. There are plenty of exclusive app-only discounts, and new users get a 15% off coupon for their first order over $15 as well as $7 for referring a friend. With more than one million active users and 10,000-plus local business partners, Delivery.com currently is available in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and hundreds of other U.S. cities.
If you’re stuck at home and your family has a hankering for a meal from a restaurant that usually doesn’t provide delivery service, DoorDash comes to the rescue by providing access to home delivery that other food-ordering apps typically don’t offer. Currently serving more than 600 cities in North America—including smaller cities and towns that often aren’t served by bigger food-ordering app services—DoorDash utilizes a courier model (think Uber for food delivery), which means you can order food from eateries that range from McDonald’s to P.F. Chang’s, and get it delivered to your home. Handy features on the app include advance ordering, real-time delivery tracker, and no order minimums.
Originally created by Yelp and recently acquired by GrubHub, Eat24 claims free pickup and delivery from 40,000 restaurants in more than 1,500 cities, including Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington D.C. New features include location search, a fun Tweet My Meal function, and payment options that include PayPal and Apple Pay.
Chicago-based Eat Purely defies the usual expectation of greasy-spoon takeout fare by offering healthy, seasonal, chef-crafted meals that are delivered to your door on demand. With a menu that changes daily, Eat Purely’s options are fresh and healthy meals that arrive in about 30 minutes or less. As added bonuses, deliveries can be scheduled up to a week in advance, and there are plenty of choices for eaters with food restrictions or are on special diets such as gluten-free or paleo.
Still the Mack Daddy of food-ordering apps, GrubHub features ordering options from more than 55,000 restaurant partners in over 1,200 cities across the U.S., Japan, and the U.K. Like its sister food-ordering app Seamless, GrubHub’s nicely designed app lets hungry diners quickly search nearby restaurants, scroll through ratings and reviews, and order (and re-order) their favorite dishes in just a few clicks. Bonus: Payments can be made via Android Pay, Apple Pay, PayPal or good-old-fashioned cash or credit cards, so you won’t miss a beat to get your grub on.
When the kids are at grandma and grandpa’s house or they’ve already gone to bed, sometimes the best home-delivered meal is a liquid one. Minibar makes ordering wine, beer and liquor delivered to your door in as little as 30 to 60 minutes as easy as the touch of a button. Simply enter your delivery address, add your favorite items to your cart and checkout with your credit card. Minibar currently serves select markets, including Arizona, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Chicago, California, Colorado, Texas, Florida, Phoenix, Minnesota, Washington D.C., Nashville, and more. New locations coming soon! $5 off first order.
For parents who are worried about less-than-healthy fast-food takeout, Order Healthy connects users with local restaurants and groups food options based on what’s healthy and what’s not. The app provides access to more than 10,000 restaurants in more than a dozen markets and uses a color-coded system to indicate which menu items are not only delicious but also good for you and your family.
Whether you’re craving an iced latte from Starbucks, a burrito bowl from Chipotle or even bag of chips from the neighborhood CVS, Postmates gives you easy, on-demand access to local restaurants and stores with just a few clicks. With a fleet of delivery people, the app instantly assigns the best possible Postmate to ensure the fastest possible delivery, either at a one-time flat-rate fee or through an unlimited subscription. Real-time tracking lets you keep tabs on your delivery progress via a live map, and deliveries can be made virtually anywhere—at home, at work or at the playground. Postmates is available in 50 U.S. cities, including most major metro areas, as well as Mexico City
Launched in 1999, Seamless started as a web-based system for companies to order food from restaurants and caterers for corporate events. A few years later, Seamless transitioned from exclusively serving business eaters to opening its service to individual users. Today, Seamless is available in a dozen cities, including Austin, Boston, Chicago, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington D.C., and boasts more than 25,000 restaurant partners in the U.S. and the U.K. (thanks to its merger with GrubHub in 2013). With its easy search function (did someone say Taco Tuesdays?), one-click re-order option, and no additional fees, Seamless is the go-to app for food delivery or takeout for many urban foodies.
With so many food delivery apps adopting a courier-service model, it’s no wonder that ride-sharing app Uber would want to get in on the food business. Uber Eats lets users browse local restaurants and fast food favorites, place orders from the app, then track delivery time. Using their Uber accounts, eaters simply tap to seamlessly pay with their existing Uber accounts, or add a credit card. Uber Eats is currently available in dozens of cities and metro areas worldwide, with more added frequently.
While an ever-expanding list of Amazon prime customers are privy to Whole Foods sent straight to their homes, Trader Joe’s delivery is sadly going the way of the dinosaurs.
If you’re saying, “What? Trader Joe’s delivers? How did I not know about this?” you aren’t alone. TJs customers who live anywhere other than NYC probably never knew about this magical perk. After all, carting home bags of totally tasty Trader Joe’s fare on the subway isn’t exactly easy.
For the past decade metropolitan New York City customers have had a home delivery option. But now the grocery retailer is finding that the program isn’t cost-sustainable. According to TJs rep Kenya Friend-Daniel, in a statement to Business Insider, “Instead of passing along unsustainable cost increases to our customers, removing delivery will allow us to continue offering outstanding values — quality products for great everyday prices, and to make better use of valuable space in our stores.”
Unlike other large grocery and retail chains, Trader Joe’s does not (and doesn’t plan to) participate in third-party delivery services. Sorry NYC customers, as of Mar. 1 your deliver glory days are over.
