In response to the challenging times that we’re all experiencing together regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, we wanted to spread love and levity across the community.
We brainstormed various ways we could do this and one of the things we landed on was highlighting some of the incredible local businesses who are stepping up and modifying their services to continue to serve the community through these tough times. These are local businesses who have local champions who are doing what they can to be leaders through this unprecedented historic time.
Featured this week…
Knapp’s Furniture, Gravenhurst
Website: www.knappsfurniture.com
“Celebrating over 70 years of quality products and services in Gravenhurst.”
Situated in beautiful downtown Gravenhurst for over 70 years, Knapp’s Gravenhurst Furniture is a family-run business and has been offering quality furniture and appliance products at reasonable prices, while also offering exceptional customer service. The 10,000 sq. ft. building is home to more than 125 quality appliances at any given time including brand names such as Kitchen Aid, Maytag, Whirlpool, Amana, La-Z Boy and Simmons. Knapp’s Furniture has been adapting to trends for the last 70 years but have never deviated from their passion for helping people.
When they were forced to close their retail store due to COVID-19, the Knapp’s family was concerned with how local families would cope without access to service for their essential home appliances. So, while they hit the pause button on selling things like couches and beds, they continued to offer service on fridges, stoves, washers & dryers. Knapp’s knew that families needed these appliances – and needed them working – to get through these tough times.
As of May 26th, Knapp’s Furniture has now re-opened the doors to their retail location and have done so in as responsibly as possible with several safety protocols in place to ensure the safety of their team and patrons. The installation of plex-glass at check-out, hand sanitizer at the entrance, signage to assist with the flow through the store and limiting the number of patrons is all measures included in their procedures.
We want to acknowledge and give a special shout out to Knapp’s Furniture for their dedication to the community, both for how they offered service through their store closure and in how responsibly they have handled their re-opening. It is not hard to see why they have been in business for 70 years and why they have such a loyal following of supporters. Keep up the great work!
Visit the Knapp’s Furniture Facebook Page
The Griffin Gastropub, Bracebridge
Website: www.craftbeerevents.ca
With a focus on craft beer, this tiny pub in downtown Bracebridge, Muskoka has become the launching point for many great festivals, events & weddings. Bringing together great live music, hearty home-made food, VQA wines, and local spirits, the Griffin is a favourite for locals and visitors alike.
When the Griffin first closed their doors, they took to social media to continue spreading positivity and good vibes. They launched Jam Sessions and live music performances that brought people together digitally when the community was not able to in person. By late April they adapted once more by offering fresh beer delivered right to your door. And as mid-May rolled around, they opened their kitchen and launched their takeout menu – which is filled with mouth-watering creations like the Chicken Shawarma Bowl, the Nicholas Cajun and T.I.E. Fighters!
We would like to give this special shout out to the team behind the Griffin for their hard work, their ingenuity and, most of all, their commitment to our amazing community. Bringing joy and happiness to people during these tough times is inspiring and we are proud to share out community with such awesome people. Keep up the great work, guys!
Visit the Griffin Gastropub Facebook Page
Blooming Muskoka, Gravenhurst
Website: www.bloomingmuskoka.com
“Blooming Muskoka, where the smells and smiles are free!”
Blooming Muskoka is a family-owned-and-operated florist located in the heart of downtown Gravenhurst, Muskoka and has been offering exceptional service for over 30 years. From large-scale weddings and events to Mother’s Day arrangements, prom corsages, bouquets, baskets and more, Blooming takes pride in offering only the highest quality of arrangements.
The creative, thoughtful, wonderful genius behind it all is Lana Lee Austin. Always eager to donate to a local fundraiser or jump in and be involved with one of the many annual events put on by Gravenhurst’s local service groups, Lana has a heart of gold and is inspiring in all she does.
When the pandemic first forced businesses to close their doors, so too did Blooming Muskoka. But as proms, funerals, birthdays, anniversaries – and eventually Mother’s Day – continued to roll on, Lana and Blooming Muskoka stepped up to modify their services and offer their beautiful products for curbside pick-up and delivery. Blooming did not want people to think that love or joy was cancelled and continued to bring people levity and support through these challenging times. They made several modifications to how they worked to ensure it happened in a responsible way. And through it all, Lana and Blooming’s generosity never waned as she would leave buckets of flowers outside her doors for people to take.
We are simply blown away by Blooming Muskoka’s capacity for thoughtfulness and generosity and want to give them this special shout out. Thank you for continuing to serve our amazing community and keep up the great work!
Visit the Blooming Muskoka Facebook Page
If you know a local business who deserves a shout out, send us a direct message with a photo and why they should be featured.
• And Remember • #StayHome #StayHealthy #StayComfy
