March 20, 2020 | COVID-19 Community Response Roundup: Delivery Shuttles & Virtual Happy Hours | By: Abby Armato, Communications Coordinator, NMSC |
Main Street McKinney has converted their downtown passenger shuttle into a delivery shuttle. (Photo credit: Main Street McKinney)
The COVID-19 Community Response blog series features ideas and approaches that local Main Street America programs are taking in response to the pandemic. We will be posting these roundups frequently throughout the duration of the crisis. To view the full collection of roundups as well as access our robust collection of coronavirus-related resources, please visit our COVID-19 Main Street Resources webpage. 
Social Distancing Bingo. Old Town Cape in Cape Girardeau, Mo., is one of many Main Street organizations to add a local twist to the classic game of Bingo. From "Buy someone flowers" to "Thanked a Downtown Business Owner," each square is an activity that encourages their community to safely explore downtown businesses while social-distancing or isolating. Owosso Main Street's bingo card also has a robust collection of activities their downtowners can engage in to fill on a spot on their cards. Check out the card from Owosso, Mich., on the left for some great example activities. Both programs are incentivizing their community to play for a chance to win downtown gift cards!
Unique Delivery Services. On a typical day, Main Street McKinney's Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) operates as a free six-passenger shuttle service to take shoppers around their Cultural District in McKinney, Tex. In these days of COVID-19, Downtown McKinney has converted DASH into a delivery shuttle, offering free delivery of goods from their downtown businesses to homes in their district. Learn more about this initiative here.
Keepin' It Clean. Downtown Thomasville Mainstreet in Thomasville, Ga., has rented and installed hand washing stations around their downtown area. Check out their stations in action here. As a reminder, the CDC recommends scrubbing your hands for 20 seconds, or humming "Happy Birthday" twice. If you're tired of "Happy Birthday," NPR has some great alternative 20-second song suggestions.
Mapping It Out. Rhode Island Avenue Main Street (RIAMS) in Washington, D.C., created a localized Google Maps of all their businesses. Each business has its own pin complete with address, website, and up-to-date information regarding hours of operation and food pick-up options (curbside delivery, pick-up, online orders, etc.). Check it out here.
Free Parking. Downtown Royal Oak in Royal Oak, Mich., is offering free 30-minute parking in their district, allowing their community to easily access curbside delivery. Check out their graphics here.
Remote Business Experiences. Durant Main Street in Durant, Okla., is kicking off a new "Making It with Main Street" video series, aimed to virtually connect residents with businesses. The first remote experience in their video series is "Game Night Ideas," featuring their local toy store teaching new board games for family game nights. The second is a virtual happy hour, complete with music from a local musician and The Office-themed trivia livestreamed throughout the event. Learn more here.
We look forward to sharing more Main Street community responses. Please fill out this form if your community has implemented an idea or approach you'd like to contribute.
Disclaimer: This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for legal, insurance, liability, tax, or accounting advice. You should consult your own legal, insurance, tax, and accounting advisors for guidance on these matters.
#Advocacy