Businesses who have adapted for the pandemic
For many businesses, COVID-19 has put a stop to business operations and we’re seeing globally the fallout of an economic slowdown and job losses as a result.
But for many other businesses, it has mean evolving and adapting, choosing instead creative ways to see the pandemic as an opportunity rather than a hindrance, to pivot or change their business models entirely.
Here’s a list of 10 interesting businesses that have adapted to maintain operations, as well as supporting the community through charitable acts – which could also give you inspiration about how to adapt yours.
The Staples Center in Los Angeles, along with its catering team Levy Restaurants, donated 7,000 pounds of food to local homeless shelters in the wake of suspended N.B.A. events.
Celebrations Catering donated 400 pounds of corned beef from canceled St. Patrick's Day celebrations to a local homeless shelter. In Denver, Occasions Catering coordinated with the nonprofit We Don’t Waste and donated large quantities of unused prepped food to the Denver Rescue Mission. In Los Angeles, floral design company Mark’s Garden gave items from a canceled event to local churches, centers for the aging, and homeless shelters.
In Arlington, Virginia, Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery is partnering with local nonprofit Real Food for Kids to serve free lunches to children affected by school shutdowns.
Several restaurants in Think Food Group are being transformed into “community kitchens” in conjunction with Andrés’s nonprofit World Central Kitchen; the spaces will offer to-go meals to people in need for five hours per day.
Even event technology companies are finding new ways to help, including tech rental company Fello. In an effort to support remote working and learning, the company has created a rental program for schools and nursing homes. Tech packages—which can be delivered directly to schools or homes and have flexible, discounted pricing—include iPads that can be equipped with LTE data, plus kid-friendly cases, parental security controls, and pre-programmed education apps.
Like many caterers, Haute Chefs L.A. launched a family meal delivery service on March 11; the company is also phasing in delivery of some grocery essentials such as sanitizing wipes and toilet paper.
West Hollywood bar Employees Only, for example, has begun delivering cocktail kits throughout the Los Angeles area; the D.I.Y. kits are available through Postmates and offer everything except the alcohol and the ice. And in San Francisco, the bakery Butter&—which normally caters weddings and other events—has begun making "quarantine cakes" decorated with PSA's such as “don’t touch your face" and "pretend you're an introvert." “People can send them to each other, even if they can’t eat them together,” Butter& founder Amanda Nguyen told People magazine. “In times of social isolation and fear, it’s human connection, acts of love, and comfort food that will get us through it.”
Lady Bird bakery in Houston is taking a similar approach and using leftover baking materials to create "quarantine cookies" with PSA slogans. All proceeds will go to the Houston Food Bank.
As for shuttered event-friendly venues, many are making themselves available to their communities as needed. In Los Angeles, for example, the convention center and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum are reportedly being considered for quarantine sites if the hospitals run out of space. Meanwhile, museums around the country are live streaming family-friendly content and virtual tours.
How do you plan to adapt?
