As we all adapt to life during COVID-19, our unique Bloor-Yorkville businesses are creating their own ways to give back, support the community, and innovate how they offer their services. Our vibrant neighbourhood is a hub of fashion, wellness, culture, and dining, and while the current time is challenging, many businesses are finding ways for us all to support each other. Below are some of the ways you can stay entertained, safe, and healthy with the help of some of our local businesses.
Stay Safe with Washable Face Masks:
Carry Maternity is (you guessed it!) a maternity store in the heart of Bloor-Yorkville that features a myriad of high-quality brands, plus their own in-house designs. Recently, they started an initiative creating reusable and washable face masks to help keep the community safe. The face masks can be purchased online for $9 with 100% of the proceeds being given to the Women’s College Hospital Mental Health Unit, supporting programs such as Mother Matters and Stella’s Playroom.
You can purchase the reusable face masks online here.
Stay Entertained
If the novelty of Netflix has worn off, perhaps it’s time to take a virtual trip the ROM? Recently launching a “working database,” you’ll find an ever-growing collection of pieces from inside the ROM’s walls that you can now explore virtually (currently there are 478,595 pieces in the online database). Categorized as Art & Culture, Natural History, and Collection Highlights, you can take a trip around the world, studying new places and pieces each day. With so much content, we can’t imagine a better way to grow your own knowledge base and seek inspiration through history as often as you like.
Our top choice for those with kids-on-the-loose is the Gardiner Museum. Posting unique content to their social media, you can follow their most recent video, “How to make a seed bomb,” to teach children how to support seedlings at home. With just the right mix of controlled chaos (appeasing both parents and kids!) and limited supplies necessary, it’s a great at-home activity aimed at supporting the growth of native plants.
Once you’ve found some #MeTime, you can browse The Gardiner’s online reading archives. Publishing exhibition catalogues online, readers can browse the most recent piece on Canadian artist Janet Macpherson. The catalogue features exhibition photos, original essays, and an artist interview.
Stay Healthy
In an act that can inspire us all, the Windsor Arms Hotel has partnered with Cerise Fine Catering to support healthcare workers and first responders. Windsor Arms Executive Chef, Shawn Whalen and Mateus de Campos of Cerise Fine Catering, have prepared over 750 meals for front line workers, 500 boxed lunches for Mount Sinai Hospital, and 250 meals for Bridgepoint Hospital.
This generous act is one that reminds us to stay inspired by the acts of kindness and to help out as best we can during this difficult time.
The Oxley Grab & Go Meals
Staying well fed while supporting local restaurants is a win-win for everyone. The Oxley is a Bloor-Yorkville staple is known for their authentic made-from-scratch British-style meals, cozy rooms, and welcoming atmosphere. A home-away-from-home style gastropub, The Oxley is now offering weekly grab-and-go meals featuring their “home cooked” classics. Posting weekly menu updates on their Instagram, you can browse their mains, desserts, and drinks, as well as their easy-to-follow reheating instructions.
The team is also dropping off trays of lasagna to The Good Shepherd Ministries and encourages donations toward this cause.
Find updates here.
Current Grab & Go menu can be found here.
Be sure to visit our online directories including virtual fitness, shopping, and medical services, as well as takeout and delivery.