City creates interactive map to help residents support small businesses

The City of Seattle has made an interactive map that shows small business that are offering takeout and delivery during the COVID-19 shutdown.

The map, called #SupportSeattleSmallBiz map, allows users to search for small businesses. Each profile includes a link to the business’ website or third-party delivery service page.

The map is part of the City’s #SupportSeattleSmallBiz campaign, which asks residents to post pictures and videos to social media from their favorite Seattle restaurants, bars, cafes, and breweries that are doing delivery, to-go, and drive-thru using the #SupportSeattleSmallBiz and #WeGotThisSeattle, and tag @SeattleEconomy.

To use the map, enter your location or drop a pin and find all the available nearby restaurants. Once you select a restaurant, you can place a takeout or delivery order directly through the app or can receive directions to the restaurant. If the restaurant doesn’t deliver, then the map will link to third-party delivery services such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Caviar.

“At the City, we’re doing everything we can locally to support our small businesses during this unprecedented moment in history,” Mayor Jenny Durkan said in a press release about the interactive map. “We’ve identified millions of dollars to invest directly in our most vulnerable small businesses and are working with our partners across government and in the private sector help many who are struggling. With many of our neighborhood restaurants still open, we can support our small businesses by ordering pickup or delivery during this time. I’m grateful to our community partners who helped shape our map and make it a reality.”

If you’re a business owner interested in adding your information to the #SupportSeattleSmallBiz map, you can contact the City at supportsmallbiz@seattle.gov. 

Other measures and actions the City has taken to mitigate the economic blow to small businesses, nonprofits, artists, and workers include the following:

• Deferring utility payments for customers impacted by COVID-19; 
• Implementing a temporary moratorium on residential, small business, and nonprofit evictions to provide relief for working people financially impacted by COVID-19;  
• Creating temporary restaurant loading zones to facilitate curbside pickup at restaurants;
• Announcing a small business relief package that included deferred business taxes and a stabilization fund;
• Creating a new Arts Recovery Package to provide immediate financial relief to artists and cultural organizations that have been impacted by COVID-19;
• Providing 6,250 Seattle families with $800 in grocery vouchers; and
• Providing rent relief to tenants of City-owned facilities. 

The City has also created a comprehensive resource page for residents and small businesses impacted by COVID-19. This page will be updated as more information becomes available.