Retailers Lend Helping Hand to Local Businesses

Retailers and restaurants have developed many collaborations during the coronavirus pandemic, such as selling restaurant meals in grocery stores to hiring restaurant staff to temporarily work in the stores and becoming a pickup spot for closed retail outlets. The innovative partnerships continue as both market segments try to survive in the new normal.

Metcalfe’s has introduced a program that encourages customers to buy gift cards from Madison, Wis.-area stores and, as a bonus, for every $25 customers spend on gift cards, they receive $20 off a $100 Bonus Certificate from Metcalfe’s.

To help support the hard-hit foodservice sector, Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Meijer has partnered with local restaurants to provide meals for employees in each of its 248 stores and distribution facilities in its new Buy Local meal program.

“Our teams are working hard every day to ensure our stores are clean and fully stocked so our customers can find what they need for their families,” Meijer President and CEO Rick Keyes said. “This initiative is just one of the ways we are trying to show them just how much we appreciate their dedication while also providing an opportunity to support important small businesses in the communities we serve.”

Restaurants are giving their thanks.

“Our hearts are SO FULL,” wrote Louie Angelo's, a restaurant near Elgin, Ill., on its Facebook page. “THANK YOU @meijer for supporting Louie Angelo’s during these difficult times!! Your commitment to small, local businesses like ours makes an enormous impact. We feel so honored to provide meals to all your selfless, hardworking employees!”

Meanwhile, the Meijer in West Chester, Ohio, chose Roc-a-Fellas for its first team member meal after learning that the restaurant fed 16 families in need, while the Lansing, Mich., distribution center purchased more than 1,900 turkey and ham sub sandwiches from family-owned Tony M’s.

“All of us at Meijer are proud to serve our communities, and we will continue to work through these challenging times together,” Keyes said.

Fareway Donates Gift Cards

Fareway Stores Inc. today announced a $200,000 donation to the Iowa Chamber of Commerce Executives (ICCE). The donation provides for $1,000-2,000 in gift cards to ICCE Chamber of Commerce members in the communities Fareway serves.

“ICCE’s members have the pulse in their communities on how to best serve their small business members during this time of need,” said Fareway President and CEO Reynolds Cramer. “We hope this donation helps small businesses and their employees that are facing challenges during this crisis.”

ICCE will immediately work to distribute Fareway gift cards to its Chamber of Commerce members. These members will then work to distribute the cards to those in need.

Fareway has also made donations to chambers in its communities outside of Iowa. Chamber communities that Fareway serves in surrounding states will be contacted directly.