Whether you’re on-island or off, there are plenty of ways to help Nantucket businesses stay strong through this unprecedented winter season.
1. Use Nantucket Strong to shop locally online
Shop directly from local stores or donate to on-island nonprofits through Nantucket Strong. Looking for a specific item but not sure where to find it? Use Nantucket Strong’s unique search engine, which connects you directly to island businesses that have the item you’re looking for. For more information, click here.
2. Check Nantucket Chamber of Commerce for updates
The Chamber of Commerce is your one-stop shop for all updates regarding Nantucket shopping events this holiday season. Despite the pandemic, the Red Ticket program benefiting the greater Nantucket community will run November 1–December 24. In addition, many of your favorite holiday events will take place virtually, including the Christmas Tree Lighting and storefront voting contest. Click here for more information.
3. Shop Santa’s Village Nantucket November 28 – December 13
In collaboration with Massachusetts’ My Local campaign, the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce will present Shop Santa’s Village Nantucket, a business-to-business initiative partnering nonprofits and businesses with shops that have physical locations to help all businesses have a successful year-end. For more information, click here.
4. Buy gift cards
They’re the gift that keeps on giving! With some stores and restaurants closing for the season a little early this year, gift cards can help them get through the shuttered months. It’s also a great way to help if you normally come to the island for Stroll and are staying home this year. Call or visit your favorite store’s website for information on how to purchase a digital gift card.
5. Cook at home with local ingredients
If you’re cooking at home this holiday season, buy groceries, cooking tools and ingredients from independent grocery stores like Annye’s and Glidden’s. For recipe ideas, CRU Nantucket has a great cookbook for whipping up some of your favorite Nantucket eats at home. Need a cooking tool you can’t find at a grocery store? Check out Marine Home Center before going online to the big box retail websites.
6. Take online fitness classes from on-island trainers
There’s never been a more important time to stay healthy, and Nantucket trainers are ready to help you feel your best. Whether you’re a dedicated yogi or spin class junkie, we recommend checking out Studio Nantucket, Core, The Yoga Room, Nantucket Cycling & Fitness, EZIA Athletic Club, Forme Barre, Lorna Dollery Boxing + Fitness, Supta Yoga, Nantucket Health Club or the Nantucket Club & Spa at the Nantucket Hotel for virtual classes.
7. Fuel up for shopping with local coffee and breakfast
Before you head out to shop ’til you drop, grab a caffeine boost from on-island coffee houses like Roastd and Handlebar. The Beet also has a great breakfast menu to give you all the protein you need to carry those heavy shopping bags! For more information on restaurants open during the offseason, head to nantucket-ma.gov for a weekly list of open eateries.
8. Stay up to date on social media
Find your favorite businesses on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, and make sure to follow them for updates. Want to go the extra mile? Like their posts, send them to your friends and share on your own page to help expand their reach! And when you use businesses’ dedicated or unique hashtags, they can repost what you’ve shared.
9. Leave a positive review on Yelp or Google
Island-based businesses depend on reviews to help promote them to tourists and new visitors. Every time you have a great experience with a local restaurant or service, make it a habit to give that business a positive review online. When possible, don’t forget to take photos to post too!
10. Donate hand sanitizer or your time, money or energy
If you’re in a position to do so, donate hand sanitizer and cleaning products to local businesses to keep them safe and healthy. Volunteering with Nantucket nonprofits is also a great way to make a difference in this particularly difficult holiday season. We’re all in this together!
