Here’s what some small businesses in Hamilton are doing to keep customers safe

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Published March 15, 2020 at 6:30 pm

As Hamilton seemingly grinds to halt as the global health crisis comes to our doorstep, there are a number of small businesses who are trying to keep their heads above water and keep their customer

As Hamilton seemingly grinds to halt as the global health crisis comes to our doorstep, there are a number of small businesses who are trying to keep their heads above water and keep their customers safe.

Many of these businesses are mindful of the social distancing practices we’re all trying to adhere to so they’re trying to think a little outside the box to give residents a safe opportunity to indulge safely.

Here’s what some Hamilton businesses are doing to stay afloat and keep patrons healthy. Also, don’t forget, many of these places will be offering delivery along with a number of other businesses around the city.


The Diplomat

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Dear Diplomat Friends and Family, With recent updates regarding COVID 19, we are closely monitoring its impact and adjusting our procedures in the best interests of our employees, guests and the community. You may notice a few changes to our operations as we continue to provide solutions that allow everyone to feel comfortable in our spaces. Some of our initiatives will include additional steps to maintain sanitation, a pick-up program with online ordering, single use items (such as condiments and disposable napkins) and distancing tables. In light of school closures we will also be offering a kids menu starting next week. As of today (Friday March 13th), all of our restaurants will be open regular hours. We are staying positive and will be here if you need us, even just for a glass of wine. We stay committed to providing hospitality in a safe and healthy environment and will follow any new guidelines presented by Ontario Heath and the World Health Organization. We also know that informed communication during uncertain times is also imperative. We have created a new email address that connects you directly to us should you want to reach out with any questions. Please email us at [email protected] Warmly, Jerrett & Jason – Co-Owners

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This trendy downtown eatery is stepping up their sanitation practices and employing single-use condiments and other items. They’re launching a pick-up program with online ordering and distancing their dine-in tables. In light of the school closures, they’re also developing a children’s menu.


Emerald Coffee Co.

The Barton Street cafe announced that they will not be accepting personal mugs and will only be serving in paper cups and that their milk and sugar station has also moved behind the bar and they will prepare your beverage the way you want it for you. They’ve also removed their self-serve water station.


541 Eatery and Exchange

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The pandemic news is quite scary, so let's take good care of each other. Here at 541 we are doing everything we can to continue to serve our community while taking necessary precautions. We're being extra diligent with disinfecting, keeping our hands to ourselves, and as always, having our staff and volunteers stay home if sick. But many of our friends are both immunocompromised and rely on us for their food security. We don't want to close our doors on them before we have to. So if you are not feeling well, please stay home! If you are still out and about, remember that independent businesses' profit margins are already razor thin, and take a huge hit in times like this. One of our favourite local retailers is @detourcoffee, and you can stock up on some coffee beans here and support us both! We're keeping in touch with Public Health Ontario and will update you if we are advised to take further precautions.

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This not-for-profit eatery is particularly vulnerable during this crisis. They have increased their sanitation efforts and they have instituted a strict ‘stay-home-if-you’re-sick’ policy among staff and volunteers and have asked patrons to act accordingly.
“Many of our friends are both immunocompromised and rely on us for their food security,” 541 said in an Instagram post. “We don’t want to close our doors on them before we have to.”


Crumbuns Bake Shop

This Concession Street favourite will be offering curbside service for the time being. You can call, prepay and pull up in the lot and they will bring it to your car. They are also increasing their efforts to sanitize well-used surfaces and equipment.


Caro and Victoria’s

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I think we can all agree, this week has been intense. We understand there are many trains of thought on the recent events, especially now that they hit home in Hamilton. We want to let you know that our restaurants, Caro & Victoria’s, are taking the safety, health and trust of both our staff & our guests very seriously. We have implemented the following so you can have a worry free experience: – Washing & sanitizing of our hands frequently – Sanitizing hard services & communal items frequently – Kitchen Staff are wearing Nitrile gloves at all times & are changed regularly – Accommodating requests for social distancing – Providing options for guests who do choose to self isolate – Ensuring staff stay home if feeling unwell & being checked out by a medical facility before returning to work – Following best practices & advice from our government health officials Please know we appreciate your ongoing support, trust & patronage. We wish you all good health & brighter days ahead. – Cory

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In addition to stepping up disinfection practices, the owners of the well-established Carp and recently opened Victoria’s have taken the following steps to ensure patrons are safe:
Kitchen Staff are wearing Nitrile gloves at all times and are changed regularly; accommodating requests for social distancing; providing options for guests who do choose to self isolate, and ensuring staff stay home if feeling unwell and being checked out by a medical facility before returning to work.


These are just some of the local businesses taking measures to protect customers in these uncertain times.

Most of the eateries on this list and other local businesses say that they will be following guidelines offered by the World Health Organization and Public Health agencies.

If you want to know how your favourite local businesses are responding to the threat of COVID-19, check their websites and social media accounts and call ahead to find out if they are open and double-check what Public Health is advising.

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