Put Together Your ‘Lockdown’ Survival Kit on the BC Marketplace

We’ve all been finding ways to cope with the rolling lockdowns that have become the “new normal” in recent months. Put together your “Lockdown Survival Kit” with the help of these B.C. small businesses. Not only can you make your and your family’s at-home time more pleasant, but you can help local B.C. businesses stay afloat during the pandemic.

Skippy’s Kettlekorn, Kamloops

Binge-watching TV shows has been one of the most popular lockdown activities. As TV-watching snacks go, you can’t beat a huge bowl of popcorn. Skippy’s has been supplying bags of fresh-popped, GMO-free kettle corn in various flavours to stores around B.C. since 2012. If you REALLY like popcorn, they sell by the case on their website. Or, find them in a snacks aisle near you.

Hunter Browns, Vancouver

The other thing you might have been doing a lot more of recently is home cooking. Of course, the secret to making anything more delicious is simply to add butter. Hunter Browns’ Brown Butter Cubes make every dish a “gourmet” dish. This type of caramelized butter is a staple of French cuisine. ‘Nuff said.

Reuse Bags, Anmore

All this eating at home we’ve been doing means your weekly food shop may have grown to feed more people more often. Help the environment by supplying your household’s designated grocery shopper with reusable mesh bags for fresh produce, and natural cotton bags for bulk and dried food. Reuse Bags was a Premier’s People’s Choice finalist in the 2020 Small Business BC awards.

Joyful Life Subscription Box, Williams Lake

Who doesn’t want to “Sign up for some joy”? Joyful Life is a curated subscription box for people who love beautifully made artisan goods. The subscription model delivers a box of five to seven unique items, crafted by hand in small towns in B.C., to the door every three months. Instead of ordering something from one of the big brands this Holiday season, a Joyful Life subscription is a great way to support small communities in B.C.

Hello Nature Adventure Tours, Ucluelet

The pandemic won’t last forever, so why not start planning for some post-COVID-19 adventures sooner rather than later? Hello Nature Adventure Tours can help you get back in shape and reintroduce yourself to some of B.C.’s most spectacular scenery. The Vancouver Island-based company offers guided kayaking and hiking tours in Barkley Sound, Broken Island Group Islands, and other spectacular spots.

Fraserview Bike Mechanic, Vancouver

With gyms closed and transit usage down, bike sales have gone through the roof during the pandemic. If you’re in the Metro Vancouver area and have a wobbly wheel or squeaky brakes, Jeff at Fraserview Bike Mechanic is a time-served bike doctor who will repair or tune-up any type of bike from his home-based shop (“aka garage”).

ARC: Anxiety Relief Centre, Vancouver

During the pandemic, looking after your mental wellbeing is as important as staying physically fit. This can be difficult if you can’t see friends and family as often, or take part in your usual activities. If you are experiencing anxiety and stress, ARC offers professional counselling therapy services in person in Vancouver or virtually across B.C. ARC specializes in treating anxiety and mood issues related to relationships, trauma, loss, and chronic stress.

A vaccine is hopefully on the way. In the meantime, why not browse these and other small businesses in the BC Marketplace to help make your—and their—lockdown less stressful?