BBA’s COVID-19 Update to Members and the Community

What you need to know now

Governor Phil Scott is expected to announced today that all bar and restaurants must close as of 2pm on March 17, 2020. We will pay attention to this update and keep you posted. We expect this closure to exempt take-out services.

Bars and restaurants in Vermont will be ordered closed at 2 p.m. Tuesday: Scott admin

 

 

The BBA’s Updates:

March 17th: Mayor Issues Guidance for Burlington During COVID-19

March 16: Mayor Announces Closures for March 17th, tenant assistance, city closures

March 14: Now is the time to come together

To share information and resources, to support each other, and to do whatever each of us can do to help the community weather this ordeal.

What we are doing:

  • Staying in close and regular communication with the Mayor’s office, government officials, health care organizations and community leaders.

  • Getting information to our members via email alerts and social media as it becomes available

  • Talking with leaders in our community’s banking, real estate, utility and insurance industries to uncover support for our local and small businesses.

  • Advocating with local, state and national government for business relief programs

  • Connecting businesses for sharing and support

  • Talking to as many of you as we can to better understand your needs

As an organization whose mission it is to steward and promote Burlington’s economy, we see our role in this crisis as two-fold;

1.     Sharing the message that we must remain calm while taking appropriate action.

2.     Supporting our members and the Burlington economy during this trying time so that we can survive this ordeal and reduce impacts until business returns to normal

How you can help:

  • BUY Gift Cards – We encourage the community to get a head start on anniversary, birthday, graduation, and even holiday shopping by purchasing gift cards to local businesses now.

  • Continue to patronize local restaurants who offer take-out or delivery; Our communities eateries take sanitation seriously. They are preparing to make accommodations both in restaurants and for takeout and delivery. Check out their menus online and give them a call!

  • Shop online – many Vermont businesses may surprise you with their robust online presence. The BBA and our partner organizations are working to strengthen local merchant’s ecommerce options and exploring options for local delivery.

  • In any way you can, support your fellow business community members

  • Stay Calm: This will test us but this will pass.

 

Resources:

The most important thing today is for all of our local business owners/managers to complete this form to establish economic impacts as soon as possible and return it to: [email protected]

Link to form On-line

Read the Governor’s Official Statement as of March 13, 2020

Sign up for Vermont’s Businesses and Economic Response to COVID-19 Newsletter

Vermont Department of Labor COVID-19 Updates

Vermont Department of Health Updates and Resources

CDC Updates and Resources

City of Burlington Updates and Resources

Business Closures

This is rapidly changing, so our list reflects what we know as of Monday, March 16th and 2pm.

We expect an order from Governor Scott to require all bars and restaurants to close (take-out excluded) starting at 2pm, March 17, 2020.

Mayor Miro Weinberger of Burlington has ordered all bars and restaurants closed for 24hrs starting at 6:00am on March 17, 2020.

 

Global Roots Film Festival (part of VTIFF) – Originally April 3-5, Now postponed to be combined w/ Vermont International Film Festival Oct 23 – Nov 1

Contact: 802-660-2600

 

Flynn Center for the Performing Arts – Remainder of the season canceled – all shows through May 31

Contact: 802-652-4500

 

Green Mountain Transit – Neighborhood Special service suspended effective Wednesday 3/18 until further notice

Fixed route service is available to city schools as needed

Contact: 802-864-2282

 

City Market Co-op – All classes and events through the end of March canceled

Will be re-evaluating before the start of April

Contact: 802-540-6400

 

 ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain – Closed through April 15th

Contact: 802-864-1848

 

King Street Center – All programs closed effective Wednesday March 18 through at least April 6.

Contact: 802-862-6736

 

Burlington Electric Department – Lobby at 585 Pine St is temporarily closed

Contact: 802-865-7300

  

Vermont Comedy Club – Closed until at least the end of March

Contact: 802-859-0100

 

Lake Champlain Maritime Museum – All workshops and programs closed through April 15.

Contact: 802-475-2022

Generator – Closed to the public but accessible to members 12pm-7pm

Events of 10 or more people are canceled

Contact: 802-540-0761

 

Magic Hat Brewing – March 28th Mardi Gras celebration canceled

Contact: 802-923-1421

 

Burton – All store locations in North America and Europe closed until further notice

Contact: 802-660-3200

 

Honey Road Restaurant – Closed, working on a takeout program

Contact: 802-497-2145

 

Higher Ground

All shows postponed for 30 days (as of March 13), hope to be back in action by April 15th, which is their 22nd anniversary

Contact: 802-652-0777

Get in Touch:

This is going to be a trying time for everyone, and it is important we all come together as a community. Fortunately this is one of Burlington’s greatest strengths. Please do not hesitate to call or email me anytime: Kelly Devine, 802-324-2748 – [email protected]