Keep it up and #SupportFredLocal!
Our community has done an amazing job supporting local over the spring, summer and fall but don’t stop now! We have witnessed moments of perseverance and growth in Fredericton despite the ever-changing landscape of COVID-19; new businesses opening, restaurants expanding to second locations, new ideas forming and an array of murals by local artists have brightened the walls of the city.
As we transition into winter, we must not forget the importance of supporting our local economy. We can do this in many ways; by enjoying cuisine from local restaurants via dine-in, takeout or delivery (we try our best to stay up to date with restaurant delivery/takeout/dine-in information on our website), supporting local artisans, producers and farmers and, with the holidays on the horizon, scrapping the idea of shopping online to shop locally for gifts instead. If you’re wondering where to begin your local shopping then check out our blog, Get Local with Holiday Gift Giving and be inspired! The holiday season is the perfect excuse to support our local businesses – your dollars make a difference!
When leaving your home, please remember to always follow the current social distancing guidelines: stay 6 feet away from those not in your bubble, wear a mask and be diligent about washing your hands. We have made it this far, let’s continue to keep our businesses open and our community safe!
Stay a Night Dinner’s On Us!
Local accommodations need love too! Consider a change of scenery by treating yourself to a staycation at one of Fredericton amazing Hotels, Motels or B&B’s. To make your stay even sweeter we launched the Stay a Night Dinner’s On Us campaign in the Summer that will continue throughout winter. If you book a nights’ stay with a featured package from a local hotel, motel or B&B you will receive a BONUS $50 in Downtown Fredericton or Business Fredericton North Dollars – the choice is yours! Each of the 20+ Winter Stay and Play Packages offer special perks like room upgrades (you deserve a Deluxe Suite with a Jacuzzi!), food and beverage credits, a bottle of wine upon arrival and more!
For other cities and provinces that are in our bubble – you do the math! Some packages start at $99 and you get $50 back, this reason alone is a great reason to #ExploreFredericton this winter.
How to Support Local from Home
If we end up in a phase where establishments are not permitted to be open, then remember how easy it was to #SupportFredLocal from home! For months we ordered everything from brunch (mimosas and all!) to fresh, roasted coffee beans from your favorite local cafes and even boxes filled with groceries and handmade goodies from our local market vendors. We dropped off our bikes for curbside pick-up for spring tune ups and joined online classes and workshops hosted by Fredericton’s makers and shakers.
Don’t forget that you can #SupportFredLocal businesses by purchasing gift cards from local attractions; they make a great “later date” gift idea! Another way to support local businesses is to interact with social media channels, it really helps a business when we like, share or comment on their posts.
Online Shopping Made Easy!
Fredericton businesses have really stepped up their game the past few months by providing Covid-friendly services like online shopping! The following websites have been created to provide a one stop shop for ordering from local businesses:
The Market Basket
We’ll start with our very own product, The Market Basket, the Capital City’s newest online hub for browsing handmade, homegrown and locally designed items from the Fredericton Region. Want to find your favorite local market vendor online or shop for a specific craft? These options are easy to find by shopping categories on The Market Basket. You can find more tips on to support local with the Market Basket, as well as a Market Basket Christmas Shopping Guide on our website.
DrinkNB
"New Brunswick is full of Amazing Craft Alcohol, we deliver it to you" is DrinkNB’s promise and they DO deliver. This website was set up to make New Brunswick’s local, craft alcohol easily accessible to all. With a click of a button you can order from multiple craft alcohol producers and have it delivered to your door. You can order a little of everything from local producers such as Grimross Brewing Co., Maybee Brewing, Red Rover Craft Cider, Graystone Brewing, Trailway Brewing Co. and Picaroons.
Cura Marketplace
Launched in 2020, Cura Marketplace is an online grocery hub with a mission is to deliver healthy food and natural products to Frederictonians. This online marketplace features a selection of locally made items including Rabbittown Beverage Co. ‘s cold brew teas, bath and beauty products by Upfront Cosmetics, produce from local farmers and more! Your Cura Marketplace box can be delivered to your door or arranged for curb side pick-up.
Sankara
“Experience the World at Home,” is Sankara’s tagline, a multicultural marketplace offering authentic cultural cuisine, grocery items, readymade meals, catering, arts and crafts. Sankara is based out of Saint John but you can enjoy an array of international cuisine and products from 15+ countries, delivered to your door in Fredericton. Local restaurant, Shere Punjab Kitchen and market vendors Dolma Delight and Salt and Maple all have a selection of ready-made meal boxes featured on the Sankara website.
What’s the Scoop on New Local Businesses?
Maritime business publication, Huddle recently wrote an article titled “9 Fredericton Small Businesses That Opened or Expanded During the Pandemic;” proof that our vibrant community is always up to the challenge of re-inventing itself. Huddle covered a range of local accomplishments from The Cultural Market opening in a new downtown location and expanding its hours to 6 days a week, to the Delta Fredericton’s launch of their new on-site restaurant Stmr.36 BBQ & Social. Needless to say, we are proud of our local entrepreneurs, new and old, for weathering the storm and in some cases, thriving during these difficult times.
Here are a few new local businesses as of 2020 not mentioned in the above article:
Food Market at the Ex | 361 Smythe Street
The international food infused, Food Market At the Ex takes place from Thursday-Saturday on the Fredericton Exhibition grounds. Here you will find an array of delicious cuisine from Zensation Vegetarian Food’s dim sum to The Doghouse Catering’s brisket sandwich.
U Beautiful Creature | 119 Main Street
U Beautiful Creature set up shop on Fredericton’s Northside this past summer. This is the place to go for shopping locally designed and crafted jewelry, bath & beauty products, décor and cozy handknits.
Buttercream Dreams | 510 Brookside Drive
Touted as the “Northside’s First and Only Cupcakery,” Buttercream Dreams offers gourmet cupcakes and cheesecakes, as well as specialty flavours announced on a weekly basis! Savour delicious and decadent flavours like cookies and cream, peanut butter cup or vanilla bean.
J’s Asian Kitchen | 146 Main Street
J’s SECOND location opened in the fall, providing Fredericton’s Northside and beyond to order their delicious sushi and menu of Asian fusion food with the option to order takeout, delivery or to dine-in.
Gisele's Pizzeria | 580 Two Nations Crossing
Location #2 for this popular pizza place opened on Fredericton’s Northside, ready to serve pizza made with their in-house sauce, freshly chopped toppings and premium ingredients and an array of tasty apps!
For more inspiration on how YOU can #SupportFredLocal, stay tuned to our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, as well as the blog section of our website. Our #SupportFredLocal partners, Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Fredericton, Business Fredericton North Inc and Ignite Fredericton have even more information on how to #SupportFredLocal, by providing lists of businesses that are offering goods and services in compliance with social distancing regulations – you can find links to those pages here.
