Markham helps local businesses stay “Open for Business” with Ritual and DoorDash

Markhamstaffnews.ca
November 17, 2020

The City of Markham is collaborating with Ritual and DoorDash to provide locally owned and operated small businesses with an easy way to conduct online sales through their own websites and social media, and to enable contactless ordering at brick-and-mortar stores.

With COVID-19 remaining a threat to both the economy and public health, the Open for Business program will help the community support local, while keeping everyone safe as the holiday season approaches.

Markham businesses can sign up for the Open for Business program and use Ritual ONE -- the commission-free digital ordering platform -- to receive:

• Waived set-up fees (normally $99/location)
• Waived processing fees for 2020 (normally 2.8% + $0.15/transaction)
• Waived subscription fees for 2020 (normally $49/month/location)
• Use of DoorDash Drive for flat fee delivery of Ritual ONE orders
• Businesses that use DoorDash Drive to make at least one Ritual ONE delivery by December 31, 2020 will have their Ritual ONE subscription fees waived through 2021.

“I am pleased that Ritual and DoorDash are offering this promotion to Markham businesses as they continue to respond and adapt to restrictions and challenges brought on by COVID-19,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “The City of Markham continues to actively seek opportunities and forge ahead with partnerships such as shopHERE and the Open for Business program that will allow for local businesses to reach their customers through digital formats. It is critical that both government and enterprise work together to offer solutions to assist small business as we face the second wave of COVID-19.”

While Ritual is most strongly associated with food services, Open for Business is available to provide any locally owned and operated business in Markham with commission-free pick-up and delivery during these challenging and unprecedented times. Businesses can learn more at ritual.co/partners/ritualone/markham.

“Local businesses are what make our communities thrive,” said Ritual CEO Ray Reddy. “Ritual and DoorDash are here to support the City of Markham and its businesses during this time with a flat fee delivery option and our contactless commission-free ordering solution, Ritual ONE.”

Open for Business is the latest initiative offered in collaboration with the City of Markham, in addition to support programs already offered through the Markham Small Business Centre to help local businesses through the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.

Other resources available to help support the local economy include:

• Small Business Recovery & Digital Resilience Program ($5K grant)
• Free custom websites via Digital Main Street's ShopHERE -- powered by Google
• Free online small business seminars and workshops
• Access to expert advice
• Entrepreneur funding opportunities
• Temporary Patio Program extension

Digital ordering provider Ritual connects businesses with customers to offer safe, contactless mobile ordering.  Ritual works with thousands of restaurants around the world, serving customers in 50+ cities across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. Ritual was founded in 2014, with headquarters in San Francisco and Toronto.