I know all of us are feeling the fear, uncertainty, sadness, and anxiety of COVID-19 right now, and while I know we’re SO fortunate compared to many, my family is no exception. Honestly, I have felt totally overwhelmed trying to come up with a whole new set of routines to replace the barely-pieced-together routines we’ve been living by since Azelie was born, less than three weeks ago. Charlie is a huge creature of habit and an extreme extrovert who LOVES school, so all of this change and isolation has definitely been the hardest on his little heart. I’m hoping to share a few things that are working for us/him toward the end of this week, once I’ve given a few more of my ideas a chance. In the meantime, I wanted to round up a list of how to support some of my favorite Raleigh businesses. As two people who gratefully haven’t lost our jobs because of this pandemic, Dave and I feel very called to support the restaurants and shops that make Raleigh such an amazing place to live. We’re rearranging our budget to prioritize restaurants for the next few months, because after all of this is over, I would hate losing any of these amazing places. If you’re local, please take a peek through the list (up-to-date at the time this post goes live on 3/18) and consider a takeout order. I promise it’ll make social distancing more delicious and fun :)

Benchwarmer’s Bagels: Online order + pick-up. 100% of bagel chip proceeds going to their staff (they are the tastiest snack!). Orders of one dozen bagels are discounted to $13–perfect to buy and freeze for later. Our favorites are the za’atar and sea salt and the maple raisin. @benchwarmersbagels for the latest updates.

Happy + Hale: Takeout, pick-up, and curbside pick-up. Order online or through the Happy + Hale app. Dave’s go-to is the chimichurri steak bowl and mine is the protein bowl. @happyandhale for the latest updates.

Jolie: 20% discount on gift cards available on their website here. Rotating menu of curbside pick-up comfort food from Jolie and their sister restaurant Crawford & Son, with pick-up at the latter–perfect for an amazing at-home date night! If everything is still shut down next month, this is what we’ll be doing to celebrate my 30th birthday. @jolierestaurant for the latest updates.

Jubala Coffee: Order online for pick-up at both locations. We won’t be able to go for long without their pimento bacon biscuits or my favorite oat milk vanilla lattes. @jubalacoffee for the latest updates.

Layered Croissanterie: Takeout and curbside pick-up available. Online and call-ahead ordering available. You can’t go wrong with anything on their menu! Gift cards available here. @layeredcroissanterie for the latest updates.

Oakwood Pizza Box: Open for takeout only, and will bring it to your car. Order online or over the phone. Their square pizza is Dave’s #1 favorite pizza in town, and we also love their white pizza with sausage. @oakwoodpizzabox.nc for the latest updates.

Sola Coffee: Takeout and curbside pick-up with payment via phone. A bag of hot mini doughnuts would make amazing comfort food right now! Gift cards available here. @solacoffee for the latest updates.

Trophy Pizza: Delivery, takeout, and curbside pick-up, plus online ordering. We’re crazy about their Best Dressed pizza: tomato sauce, mozzarella, spinach, red onions, pepperoni, bacon, and lamb sausage. Gift cards available here. @trophybrewing for the latest updates.

Two Roosters Ice Cream: Takeout all day and curbside pick-up between 5-9 P.M. Their non-dairy ice creams are amazing, or grab a pint of their glorious cookies and cream. @tworoosters for the latest updates.

Whiskey Kitchen: Food, beer, and wine available for pick-up and delivery via online ordering. Don’t forget dessert! @whiskey.kitchen for the latest updates.

Wine Authorities: Open with normal hours, but can also order online in advance, pay via phone, and request curbside pick-up. Don’t buy the Paul D gruner veltliner because we’re going to need more as soon as we run out ;) @wineauthorities for the latest updates.

Yellow Dog Bread Company: Takeout and curbside pick-up available. They are doing some amazing things to help serve the elderly and children in the community, so please put them at the top of your list of businesses to support! @yellowdogbread for the latest updates.

(All photos in this post are old–rest assured we are taking social distancing VERY seriously, and I hope you are too!)