Video: In Twin Ports, Northlanders use social media to boost business for local bars & restaurants
Dec 06, 2020 05:03AM ● By EditorWatch the WDIO-TV Report here
By Emily Ness of WDIO-TV - November 5, 2020
The social media presence of businesses across the board has grown amid the COVID-19 pandemic and here in the Northland, community members are using social media to boost business for local bars and restaurants.
They have done so by creating Facebook pages to share pictures of their favorite places and dishes in an effort to encourage people to try them.
Greg Running, the creator of the Duluth & Superior FOOD TO GO Facebook page, shared his motivation for making it.
“The pictures are so fun and very visual. It’s fun showing places people didn't even know about that have been here for a decade plus,” Running said. “They didn't know about it and now they do, so they are ordering from there and doing to-go's. It’s just been a great experience.”
Jason Vincent, the owner of the Boat Club and Vanilla Bean, elaborated on the power of social media during this time.
“I've actually gotten lots of orders and lots of feedback from those groups. They've been very helpful,” Vincent said.
Vincent added that help is needed now more than ever.
“I think the really shocking thing for a lot of people is when you add up the time that many restaurants have either been closed or had limited service, its 112 days out of 365 days in 2020,” Vincent said. “Almost 1/3 of the entire year, we’ve either been closed or had limited to-go service.”
Nancy Vega, whose family owns Maya Mexican Restaurant, said the online traction has helped them connect to new customers.
“We've had a lot of new customers try us out who have seen us or heard of us,” Vega said.
Additionally, Vega said it has helped them build toward future business.
“It’s always great and appreciated that even if somebody is not able to make a purchase, leaving a positive review or sharing posts with family and friends is also a great way to support the small business,” Vega said.
Running said he hopes to see the page continue to grow and lift up local bars and restaurants.
“It’s very positive. These local businesses are getting customers that they might not have before and I think it’s really helping them,” Running said.
Other Facebook pages created to support local bars and restaurants include the following:
Two Harbors Guide to Take Out, Delivery and Drive Through
To see the orignal report and read related stories, follow this link to the WDIO-TV website. https://www.wdio.com/news/northlanders-support-local-bars-and-restaurants-through-social-media-/5943...
