Published May 11, 2020

Shop Local Community Initiative: Food

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The Tri-Cities has so much to offer, from restaurants to great shops, crafters to craft cocktails. We’re missing the places we go to often and are thinking about the owners of these businesses. We decided to get in touch, and spread the love. Find out how you can support local, all while maintaining safety and social distancing.

This week we're spotlighting some of our beloved restaurants! Help us celebrate Hiraku Sushi, Me-n-Ed's Pizza, Orrange Kitchen + Bar and Taps & Tacos!

In the coming weeks we'll also be highlighting some of our favourite food, services and speciality shops too, but check out all of these great local restaurants - and find out how you can support them - below.

Me-n-Ed's Pizza

Today, the Me-n-Ed’s name is synonymous with perfectly crafted pizza, topped with quality fresh ingredients and a blend of six real cheeses, and served in family-owned restaurants - the same way they started, in 1969!

How are you and the business doing?

We are doing ok, we are very fortunate that we had the takeout and delivery business, to begin with. So although we are missing our Dine-in business, and it does feel extremely strange to have an empty restaurant, we are maintaining our takeout and delivery.

How has COVID-19 impacted your business and how have you adapted?

We have altered the way we do business by offering Contactless Delivery - whereby the customer prepays on the phone with their credit card and then when our driver delivers the pizza he rings at the door and leaves the pizza at the doorstep, steps back and waits for the customer to pick up the pizza and then leaves. We are also offering Curbside Pickup - whereby the customer prepays on the phone when they order and then when they arrive to pick up they call us and let us know what vehicle they are in and only one of our staff runs them the pizza, placing it in their trunk or handing it to them outreached at a safe distance. Customers have been so appreciative to have this option and still be able to have pizza. We are working very hard at providing a safe environment for our staff and customers.

How can the community help support you during these times?

Our staff really miss the interaction with our customers and we look forward to happier times when we can have a full restaurant again filled with noise and laughter and joy. We are ever so thankful that we have very strong community support and faithful and loyal customers. It has made all the difference for us and we appreciate their support. We have been part of this community for 45 years and we have always tried to be proud supporters in the community, so it is extremely heartwarming to see our customers reciprocate and be major supporters for us in this difficult time. We love and value the relationships we have formed over the many years of being in business and are so thankful. Continue to order take out, support the community and we will see you soon!

Instagram: @me_n_edspizza

Facebook: @menedspizzaparlor

Website: www.meneds.ca

Taps & Tacos

Located just up from Rocky Point Park and Brewers Row (Port Moody Craft Breweries) Taps & Tacos is a 40 seat restaurant with a glass exterior allowing for a bright indoor patio feel. The interior reflects the rustic sensibilities of the surrounding area while also bringing an energetic vibe. The loft level offers a few more seats and a different perspective to observe the room. Join us at the bar and get to know your bartender or kitchen front and watch the Chefs in the open concept kitchen.

How are you and the business doing?

We are adjusting like everyone else, we’re lucky to be supported very well by the Tri-Cities community.

How has COVID-19 impacted your business and how have you adapted?

Even though Food Service Health has always been a very important focus for restaurants, the Covid pandemic has forced all businesses to pay extra special attention. Product-wise, we have pivoted into creating new items such as our hugely popular Margarita Kits. Allowing our customers to create their own Taps & Tacos Margaritas at home.

How can the community help support you during these times?

The Community has done an amazing job supporting us so far. Shopping Local helps all small businesses but even simple things like leaving positive Reviews on our (or your fav business) Google or Facebook page can help in the long term.

Instagram: @tapsandtacos

Facebook: @tapsandtacos

Website: www.tapsandtacos.ca

Hiraku Sushi

Hiraku Sushi opened on December, 2nd 2013 at the area of Burke Mountain. As others say, we have the second-best food and comfort in the world. The first would be your mom’s homemade food and your house. Instead of being the best, we will try our best to be your neighbours. Hiraku in Japanese means a door is opened or a flower is bloomed, so we will always be opened for everyone to enjoy.

How are you and the business doing?

First of all, we hope you are doing well during these unprecedented times. We would love to have our restaurant showcased on different platforms. Our business has been slow but still quite busy these days. Hopefully, the pandemic ends soon, but before then, we're trying to stay positive about this situation.

How has COVID-19 impacted your business and how have you adapted?

Due to Covid-19, our sales have decreased. However, there are still deliveries and takeout to keep ourselves busy these days. We've cut down numbers for employees. All our employees are trying very hard to stay positive!

How can the community help support you during these times?

We would really appreciate it if the customers could order for takeout or use our Hiraku delivery system. On our website, there is an online delivery system where customers are able to receive a 10% discount on their purchases and have the food delivered to their house.

Website: www.hirakusushi.com

Orrange Kitchen + Bar

It's always a good sign when you're a favourite among the locals. Every element of our restaurant from the seating, fantastic service and abundant menu and drink options is designed to help you relax and unwind while enjoying a friendly atmosphere. It's the best spot to grab a quick lunch, dinner with friends and family or a special occasion meal. Since opening our doors and firing up the grills in 2013, we've become a local area favourite and a one of a kind bar and restaurant with downtown Port Coquitlam as a backdrop. Our founders Brian Orrange, David Nickel and Jesse Harris have over 75 years of business management experience combined and are well versed in the restaurant trade. The wisdom, passion and dedicated service are what has made our team so successful. Ambiance is everything. The key to achieving it is balance. Next to our great food, we've created an environment where you can come in and let your shoulders drop. With our unhurried atmosphere, generous table spacing, welcoming staff and an enormous selection of craft beer, cocktails and menu options, we've set a new standard for what it means to be a great local restaurant.

How are you and the business doing?

We are doing our best to adapt. It has been a lot of long and stressful days trying to keep the doors open so we can welcome back all of our great guests and staff.

How has COVID-19 impacted your business and how have you adapted?

Since this all happened, we have been overwhelmed with the community support. Relying on take out and delivery, our sales dropped by 75%. We had to lay off 42 staff and are now operations with just myself, my wife, our GM and Chef. It has not been easy, but the support of the community along with the aid from the government has kept us afloat and it looks like we will make it through this.