PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Your health and safety are of utmost importance in the time of COVID-19, but local small businesses could also use a helping hand during the pandemic.

Here are five easy ways you can help support them from afar while helping the entire community — both business and personal — remain healthy. Need a list of local businesses? You can find them on the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership website. 

Buy Gift Cards
A great way to support your local small business — from salons and spas to coffee shops — is to buy a gift card from them. You’ll be supporting the business financially during a difficult time — and making sure they’re still around when the restrictions lift. Plus, think of how good it will feel to use that card once the pandemic is over.

Shop Online
Now is the time to shop small — online. A good portion of local brick-and-mortar boutiques — among them No. 14, Vintage Grace, Pavement and Kristi Boutique — also have online shops that are helping to keep the businesses afloat during this time. And many also are offering incentives to promote online shopping such as free shipping, discounted items or other special offers. PG&H, which connects shoppers with some of Pittsburgh’s most talented makers — and maintains a (now closed) brick-and-mortar shop Downtown — has a full list of local artisans on its website. You also can learn more about how to support your local home goods retailers by visiting here. 

Order Takeout
While you can’t dine in, many restaurants are offering takeout options as a way to still serve the community. For a full list, visit our #PGHEatsToGo guide, which is updated frequently. Don’t forget to tip the person handling your delivery or takeout the same amount as if you were dining in. Another way to support the restaurant industry is to contribute to the Greater Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Mutual Aid, a Facebook group representing a broad range of restaurant workers from fine dining cooks to servers at large chains. You also can send service industry employees a tip via the Pittsburgh Virtual Tip Jar. For more information on these groups, visit here. 

Keep Up Your Subscriptions
Your local magazines, newspapers and online news sources are a great way to stay informed — and entertained — during the pandemic. You can subscribe to Pittsburgh Magazine by going here. You count on us, now we’re counting on you. 

Share It On Social Media
If you see your favorite local business is offering a special promotion, online classes or fun contest, spread the word by sharing it on social media. For example, Dallas Beauty Lounge — which has locations Downtown and in Bridgeville — is asking clients to post pictures on Instagram of themselves with their grown-out roots, lash extensions or nails. The winners — chosen by the salon staff — will receive free services once the business reopens. PG&H also is helping promote creative businesses on its Instagram page by posting links to its makers’ online shops. Give it a share!