As the coronavirus crisis deepens and more people work from home or self-isolate, getting food and other essentials remains a stressful part of life for many of us.
Here’s a rundown of just some of the local businesses who are staying open and how you can support them:
GROCERIES
Jamie’s Joint at South Townsville have plenty of pantry staples in stock and they’re expecting another delivery of the rolled gold during this crisis — toilet paper — by the end of the week.
“We get fruit and veg three times a week and we have lots of deli meat to sell,” store owner Jamie De Muth said.
“We get bread delivered from Jean-Pierre every day, we have rice, pasta and flour and we are getting milk delivered every day too.”
Ms De Muth said the store was taking phone orders for the convenience of her customers.
Harold Street Minimart is open 13 hours a day, seven days a week and has plenty of staples left on its shelves.
Store manager Vinay Patel said pasta was in high demand at the convenience store.
“We still have all everything you need; rice, pasta, ham off the bone, fresh fruit, vegetables, milk, eggs, baby wipes and nappies,” she said.
FRESH FRUIT & VEG
Otto’s Fresh Food Market marketing manager Renae Summers assures Townsville the aisles are well stocked.
“We have a strong focus on fruit and vegetables and it is how Otto’s started and we are going to continue to trade like business as usual because we are here to support our customers,” she said. “There is a lot of uncertainty and we basically want to continue to trade as usual to create calm.”
The store has plenty of stock including canned food, pasta, bread, meat and fresh food.
Ms Summers said the store was working on strategies to keep Townsville well stocked.
“We are talking about a possible drive through service and an online grab and go system,” she said.
Lambert’s Fresh Produce in Aitkenvale has plenty of fruit and vegetables, according to co-owner Michael Burge.
“People are panic buying a bit of meat, to a less of degree for fruit and veg. Whether it’s people from out of town … I’m not sure what it is,” he said.
“We are pretty well covered for everything. We don’t envisage too many out of stocks, we’re going to have supplies, there’s no question about it.
Mr Burge some fruit and vegetable prices may rise because of increased demand in southern cities affecting supplies.
Essentially Fresh will continue to deliver grocery and ready-made meal orders. They posted to their Facebook page: “In these uncertain times we are able to maintain this service while meeting social distancing requirements.”
PASTA
Fewer people have been stepping through the doors of Betty Blue and The Lemon Tart, but there is a silver lining for those seeking pasta.
Owner Chris Christensen said there had been about a 50 per cent downturn in customers as a result of coronavirus.
He said the cafe stocked a range of pastas, including gluten free varieties, and was expecting another delivery soon.
“It’s been a massive downturn in the past three days, which I don’t expect will change, but hope it does,” Mr Christensen said.
With an influx of Townsville residents taking a road trip north to visit the sunflowers west of Ingham, the delis in the Hinchinbrook town also have a healthy pasta supply.
Lou’s Emporium owner Leanne Morris said her store had yet to experience panic buying.
“We haven’t been hit too much yet. We still have tinned tomatoes and some pasta, rice and flour and we have more stock arriving soon so we don’t have empty shelves just yet,” she said.
CAFES, BAKERIES, TAKEAWAY
Three Loaves Bakehouse at Rising Sun are offering phone orders, orders brought out to cars, and are designing packages for people wanting to grab necessities without braving the big shops (and crowds) including breads, pastries, milk, eggs etc.
Absolute Cravings in North Ward will offer dine-in as well as takeaway meals and deliver food to the elderly, disabled and anyone self isolating on Wednesdays and Fridays.
The Beet Bar have both stores open for trade seven days/week. Flinders Street and Townsville Hospital // healthy takeaway smoothies + Acai bowls + breakfast + lunches + coconut icecream + fresh juices + salads + burgers + raw desserts + grab n go & much more.
Nourishing Bites is an indigenous owned business on Ingham Road offering decadent treats that are healthy (gluten free, lactose free, no refined sugar etc). They are expanding their online offering and have home delivery or pick up with ‘social distancing’.
Cafe Bella opened in February on the corner of Stokes and Sturt St at the old Bambini. “Our entire cabinet is take away, outdoor dining, pet friendly and I promise the BEST coffee in town,” Jay Lewis McCracken said.
il mondo at the Hyde Park Centre will be open for all your baking, caking supplies, coffee beans and kitchenware. Order online and collect in store. They are also offering home delivery; call the store to organise. 5.30am to 1.00pm text to order avail via 0499013724. Large outdoor undercover seating area with fans and tables set apart. MED coffee and choice of treat - deal $10.
Mello Cafe are open usual hours 6:30am to 3pm Monday to Friday offering takeaway or dine in food and coffee. We offer texting or calling for quick pick ups on the way to work or if you have a short lunch breaks. Cabinet grab and go food, lots of breakfast/lunch items on the menu and catering for all business big or small with offer for delivery.
Mangiamo Food Truck will be offering take away service as well as drop and go platters for business.
Fish Stop Annandale and Douglas are still trying to keep going so come in and grab something to eat.
Noddy’s Cakes & Cafe most amazing little place for coffee and cake and makes the most spectacular birthday and any type of event cake.
Hammett St Fish And Burger Bar will be still taking phone orders for all your seafood and burgers, so you only need to collect.
Grill’d on both Palmer st and Fairfield Central does on line ordering which you can swing by and collect... staff will run it out to you and about to do delivery over select lunch and dinner times.
“Fleming Street Snack Bar have always done deliveries and are now starting no contact deliveries the food is good and healthy and the coffee is amazing,” says Emma Sacrez.
RESTAURANTS & CLUBS
The Balcony Restaurant in Townsville City have added delivery options and a takeaway menu, a ‘high tea to your house’ option and function platters home delivered.
“Thank you for your continued support, we appreciate it very much,” they said in a statement.
“We wish all of you out there the very best of luck. We are going to give it everything we’ve got to try and get through this.”
Brothers Leagues Club’s ‘Circa on the Run’ are now offering a takeaway menu, as is Townsville Yacht Club, The Avenues Tavern, The Courtyard, Shaw & Co, Shorehouse, Bridgewater Restaurant, Jam and A Touch of Salt.
Tom’s Tavern announced they would be “reducing capacity to allow for social distancing” at the Aitkenvale pub, limiting the number of guests to a maximum of 100 people per area.
The Pier Restaurant and Bar said they would review their restaurant layout and the configuration of tables to abide by social distancing guidelines.
And The Ville Resort-Casino yesterday said they would limit the number of patrons for The Palm House, Quarterdeck, Miss Songs and the casino, Spin Cafe and sports bar.
Rollingstone Hotel: “For those living north of Townsville, we will be soon offering a takeaway menu with delivery included on certain days and for free over a certain amount. This takeaway menu will include pizzas (new addition) and our normal meals. These menus will soon be available on our page once they are released. We hope that this service will prove to be a great hand to those out there who have to stay at home and still want to enjoy food they haven’t cooked themselves!
The city’s restaurant moguls will today present a united front as they urge the community to support their businesses and the hundreds of jobs they support amid the coronavirus crisis.
Townsville industry identities including Matt Merrin, Jamie Fitzpatrick and Peter Brine from the city’s hatted restaurants Jam, Bridgewater, A Touch of Salt and Shorehouse will meet today as they experience a crippling drop in foot traffic as more people self-isolate and practice ‘social distancing’.
Mr Fitzpatrick has appealed to people to continue to support the industry, including attending restaurants while regulations allow amid the unfolding coronavirus pandemic.
The restaurateur operates venues including Shaw & Co and The Courtyard in City Lane and Shorehouse on the Strand which are adapting by launching home deliveries and takeaway menus.
But he warned this alone would not save businesses and jobs.
“It’s not the silver bullet because we are moving to takeaway. It doesn’t mean businesses are going to be sustainable,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.
“At this stage we are open. As long as we observe safe practices and we adhere to the guidelines, we can have up to 100 people (attend restaurants).”
Mr Fitzpatrick also called for the support of regulators.
“We need our regulatory bodies to work with us to get businesses back on foot as we adapt quickly,” Mr Fitzpatrick said.
“Our immediate goal is to do what we can to maintain a healthy environment for staff, families and customers, while at the same time, maintain the jobs of our 90 plus staff,” he said.
The news follows A Touch of Salt announcing it would launch cook-at-home food boxes with recipe cards, takeaway and food delivery.
Yesterday afternoon, food delivery giant UberEats announced it would give $5 million in funding to smaller restaurants in a bid to save the country’s struggling hospitality sector.
Restaurants joining Uber Eats would also see their sign-on fees waived, and all restaurants would be able to opt-in for being paid daily.
It follows an announcement earlier this week that Uber would be encouraging drivers to leave food deliveries at the doorstep of customers.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill called on the region to support each other through this crisis.
“Everyone is hurting at the moment … a number of businesses acting proactively in this manner is very good, and I would hope that the local community if they are looking to get food and things like that they support these local businesses,” Ms Hill said.
“I’m still going to go out and do my shopping; if I want to buy a dress I’m going to go to the dress shop until they tell me that we have to stop. We can still continue to lead reasonably normal lives.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday urged Australians to stop panic buying and hoarding, saying it was “ridiculous” and “un-Australian”.
Other small local businesses
Gracie Barra Townsville - Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is operating as per usual until further advice from authorities, but for those quarantined or choosing to self isolate, Gracie Barra has an online training module available to members. From Monday next week, classes will be live streamed on the Gracie Barra Townsville Members Only Forum Facebook group.
Tiki On Ackers open for trade making our Townsville ladies more beautiful then ever in these crazy times! Extra care and sanitising is in place.
Keyes & Co property do virtual house inspections so you can check out properties across Townsville from the comfort (or ‘self-isolation’) of your own home!
Belgian Gardens Terrywhite Chemmart Compounding offers hand sanitisers, N95 masks (coming next week) and free every weekday delivery.
Priscilla’s Makeup and Beauty: Stockist of Pure Fiji and Youngblood products, I’ll deliver skincare and makeup goods purchased, to anywhere within Townsville region (with direct bank transfer option also available). Home salon continues to follow Qld Government infection control measures to support health of all individuals.
#justcountrycrafts .... patchwork and craft shop are offering a delivery service to local customers who have been quarantined.
Aaron & Me: We are a small local family business who make & sell homemade boutique pet treats & handmade pet products. Offering free local delivery for orders over $30.
Anna’s Skin & Beauty: “Going above and beyond government recommended infection control and hygiene standards,” John Ravizza said. “Keeping the ladies of Townsville looking and feeling amazing during these uncertain times! Support local business.”
Hairhouse Warehouse Stockland is offering home delivery for all hair care products
The Makeup Mirror - make up studio with specialist beauty services offered. Open Monday - Saturday pampering all our beautiful clients. All beauty stations have been seperate and rooms are available for one on one appointments as requested. Further procedures have been put in place in regards to sanitation and hygiene. All retail is available for purchase, phone ahead and we can drop it to your car door outside the salon or delivery to your home in the Townsville area.
Remedy Hair Studio, boutique salon @ Oak Valley. For those fresh hair feels , wonderful drive, only 20mins from the city.
Milou Dress House is open for trade as per usual in our beautiful open air City Heart www.miloudresshouse.com.au for online orders which can be posted or collected instore or drive through.
The Voice Singing School is offering online singing and guitar lessons.
Daisy Fresh Drycleaners... now offering a home delivery and collection service during COVID-19.
Diamond Dolls NQ are offering mobile (only) wedding dance lessons so that you don’t have to leave your home and can still prepare for your special day.
Elle J Maternity and Baby Boutique has FREE click and collect and we will bring your order out to your car. Or FREE home delivery for all orders over $75.
Operation Handmade has click and collect or local delivery/postage for just $10 (free for orders over $100).
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