Local Love
In the midst of this crisis, what can we do? Stay home, take care of ourselves, check in on our family and friends - of course. But we’ve also been wondering how do we support our community? The COVID-19 crisis has forced so many small businesses to close their storefronts, cancel events, and pivot to new experimental business models just to keep things going until we can hopefully return to normalcy.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been compiling a list of our favorite small businesses that we’ve worked with over the past five years of SSLetters and how to support them in these times. It’s hard to imagine that we would ever have been going to virtual craft shows in the year 2020, but here we are. Let’s all go together.
If you have anything else to contribute to this list, send us an email at sshandlettering@gmail.com! We will update as we learn more.
SSLetters meeting outside at Bump ‘n Grind!
We love, and miss, the floral tablescape at Kefa Cafe
Eat out, to go
Our no. 01 coffee spot and the host of our SSLetters meetings for the past two years, Bump ‘n Grind, is delivering coffee beans, shop goods, and vinyl door to door. It’s actually a perfect excuse to sit at home and enjoy that old record player you don’t normally use (looking at myself). Plus, B&G is providing beans to Holy Cross Hospital staff. You can contribute to the cause by sending money to @Bumpngrind via Venmo or Paypal: David@Bumpngrind.co and include "For Holy Cross!"
Our pals in Takoma Park, Takoma Beverage Co is open for take-out, delivery, and beer and wine sales. Also COCKTAILS TO GO is a quarantine lifesaver.
Wine cafe Locavino is open 11a-9p seven days a week for carryout or pickup, and retail sales of beer and wine. They’re delivering food via Doordash and Grubhub, and self-delivering beer and wine. Check the site for more details.
Denizen’s is delivering beer, wine, and cocktails; and offering food delivery via Uber Eats.
Kefa Cafe is open for pick-up!
Grubhub often does local restaurant days with free delivery on orders over $15!
Sarah Brown screenprinting with Sherry of Soul and Ink Crew at Bump ‘n Grind for our screen printing party.
The beloved frame wall at Plaza Art!
Shop Local
Our Silver Spring Plaza Art is open for local delivery and curb-side pick up! No excuse to not start your dream art project during quarantine, unless of course, sleep is more appealing right now, which is 100% valid.
Support our favorite local bookstore, Loyalty Books, (in DTSS and Petworth) by getting a membership, buying a gift card, checking out their e-book and audiobook selections, and new book bundles for your quarantine! Books are also shipping for just $2! We can defeat Amazon, guys! More details.
Our sponsor, and favorite nostalgia shop, Analog is posting their assortment of shop goods on Instagram for sale via DM.
Get letter writing kits and other stay at home kits from Cherry Blossom Creative.
This year’s Pile of Craft craft show, our favorite excuse to visit Baltimore, is going virtual! Join in on the fun on Saturday, April 25th and get deals, freebies, maker behind-the-scenes tours, and more!
On Saturday, April 25, retailers in DC are also taking it virtual with Shop Small DC offering deals and declaring it spring’s Shop Small Saturday.
Our friends at Soul and Ink are offering deals on in-studio printing of custom apparel, their graphic design and branding services, and have a new artist collection launching soon!
Donate Money
Local nonprofit Silver Spring Cares is taking monetary donations, purchasing meals from local restaurants, and distributing them to families in need. Win-win-win.
Donate to the Takoma Park Micro-Grant Program to support local Takoma Park businesses that have had to close up shop because of the COVID-19 crisis. Or purchase a print from local artist No Plan Press and proceeds will also be donated there.
General Good Vibes
DC shop The Outrage has pivoted from their feminist storefront to employing people to send good vibes postcards.
Bored at home? Try a therapeutic coloring page from DC artist Marcella Kriebel.
Want to spread cheer? Write a postcard to the elderly.