As the pandemic rages on, so too does the fight of local restaurants and businesses to stay safe and open. Every small business has been forced to pivot in innumerable ways throughout the course of the last year. Winter in Wisconsin is relentless, and the financial burden of this annual slow period is continuing to devastate the local restaurant industry. Many restaurants and small businesses are still unsure if they’ll make it through the season, let alone the year.

But we have great hope in our community. Every ounce of support matters for local businesses that are trying to survive the uncertainty. Every word of encouragement, every dollar, and every social media share matters. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it forever: we couldn’t do it without you.

If you’re getting takeout or delivery this year, please support one of Madison’s many locally-owned restaurants. Whenever possible, put your dollars in the hands of businesses owned by people of color and women. If you have money to donate, consider local nonprofits led by the amazing leaders in our community. If you don’t have the financial means at this time, write a positive review, spread gratitude, and share social media content from your favorite local establishments.

We’ve put a short list together of some of the small businesses we love, some of which are our next door neighbors. Thank you for your unending love and support. Thank you for supporting local businesses. We can do this, together.

Dragonfly Hot Yoga
Fontana Sports
Anthology
Morris Ramen
Madison Sourdough
Working Draft Beer Company
Macha Tea Company
Bloom Bake Shop
A Pig in a Fur Coat
Mount Horeb Hemp
Wonderstate Coffee