COVID-19: UrbanToronto Updates from the Industry for April 19, 2021 - #ShopVaughanLocal

Urbantoronto.ca
April 20, 2021

The global COVID-19 pandemic is having far-reaching effects in Toronto, including major impacts on what have been booming real estate and building industries. As a means to keep the public in the loop about the shutdowns, we'll be sharing information and status updates from around the industry on a regular basis.

In today's report: #ShopVaughanLocal

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Restaurants, cafés and other retail shops: Vaughan’s small businesses are at the heart of what makes this city unique. While all of Ontario remains in a stay-at-home order due to COVID-19, that doesn’t mean you can’t continue to support local businesses from the comfort of home.

There are many ways to show your local love. Make a difference by:

• ordering takeout or delivery from a local restaurant or café.
• shopping online from local businesses.
• buying gift cards from local businesses to use at a later date.
• sharing the local love using #ShopVaughanLocal on social media.

Are you looking for other ways to shop locally?

The voluntary Open for Business online directory includes services and Vaughan-based businesses that are open or providing modified operations by phone, online, takeout or delivery in compliance with provincial and municipal regulations. Vaughan businesses interested in being included in the list must apply through this online form.

As the virus continues to evolve, the City remains committed to working with all levels of government to stand up for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Maintaining the competitiveness of the local economy throughout the global pandemic is a priority.

The #ShopVaughanLocal initiative and Open for Business directory are just two of the many measures introduced by the City to provide relief to the business community and ease the financial burden caused by COVID-19. Here are some other examples:

Vaughan Business Resilience Plan

On June 23, 2020, the City launched the Vaughan Business Resilience Plan (PDF) as an immediate and long-term plan to help Vaughan’s business community build capacity to adapt to the post-pandemic world.

Through this plan, the City’s Economic and Cultural Development department will continue to:

• help businesses and the economy build resilience.
• build resilience into key economic opportunities and strategic sectors like healthcare, supply chain and manufacturing, and tourism.
• share Vaughan’s reimagined public spaces within physical distancing guidelines and invite the community to experience Vaughan’s culture and arts.

For more information, visit vaughanbusiness.ca/COVID.

Advisory consultations

The City’s Economic and Cultural Development team continues to offer advisory consultations via tele- or video-conference, email and phone. The department is also hosting new and educational webinars. For information, additional resources or to book a consultation, visit vaughanbusiness.ca.

To keep up with the City of Vaughan’s newest business resources and initiatives, sign up for the Economic and Cultural Development department’s eNewsletter at vaughanbusiness.ca/enewsletters.