While we always try to be proponents of spending locally, during the pandemic it is more important than ever! Small independent business are being hit the hardest by the lockdown, and seeing entrepreneurs come up with new ideas to serve their clients from a distance has been fabulous. We know you’re all stuck inside looking for something to do right now with no end in sight. This is a great time to get in touch with some of your favourite local businesses to see how you can support them. Keep safe out there Sudbury!

Below we’ve put together a list of some of our recommendations to keep you busy and buying locally! Is there a business you love that we’ve missed? Let us know at jessica@ourcrater.com and we’ll add them in!

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Get Creative

Sew Local Stitch Lounge

Get your stitch fix even during the pandemic! The lovely folxs at Sew Local have been hard at work keeping all you at home sewers busy. Their website is stocked with all sorts of fabrics in unique prints and super soft textures as well as all the supplies & notions you might need to finish your next project. Right now you can order a variety of mask making kits in different themes and follow along with their video tutorial.

Sweet Yarns

Knitting is a great way to keep your hands busy and create some wearable pieces of art! The folks at Sweet Yarns have everything you need to get started on your next project and have a stellar selection of exclusive yarns you’ve been yearning for. You can also join in on virtual hangouts on Facebook and Instagram live on Mondays and Thursdays to keep in touch with other makers and show off your work!

WaterCrow Studio

Looking to get creative during isolation? Look no further than WaterCrow Studio! They are offering free delivery to your door on local deliveries over $25 and curbside pick up. Their brand new website is up and running with all the supplies you can think of! They even have a few paint by numbers kits if you’re a less than expert artist.

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Learn Something New

Nickel City Trivia

Think you might be the smartest couch potato in all the land? Time to test your skills! While we can’t get together for trivia the Nickel City crew have taken things online. Every Tuesday and Friday at 8 PM join them and test your knowledge against other Sudburians over zoom, just shoot them a message with your email to get the link. An extra special bonus is all the curious pets who like to make appearances (they’re the real stars)!

Science North

While you might be cooped up at home this is a great time to expand your mind! Science North has been hosting a series of Bluecoat Talks taking a deep dive into engaging topics with leading experts over live chat. We especially loved learning more about Sudbury’s regreening program!

Wander Food & Wine

Know someone who has been enjoying a little vino to liven up their quarantine? This is just the virtual hang for them if they want to sharpen their knowledge and learn some excellent hosting skills. Stephanie Piche is an expert in all things travel & wine, follow along as she sips you through Italy, Spain and California. If you can’t travel to exotic locales at least you can drink like you’re there.

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Let’s Get Physical

Apex Warrior

While a traditional race might be out of the question, for now, Apex is taking things digital with their Virtual Trail Race Series! There are three race dates in May, July, and September – choose the distance for you between 6k-50k and get running. Use the Runkeeper app to track your time, you have one week to meet your goal and wear your swag with pride!

Myoga

With all the stress of the unknown, now is a time to center yourself. Let the experts at Myoga help you along the way! Yoga is a great way to improve your flexibility, stamina, and mental health. Right now you can stream classes of all skill levels on zoom every day of the week. If you’ve never tried yoga before you can take advantage of their introductory specials, $40 for a full month, or $10 to drop in on a class.

Zen Fitness

It’s more important than ever to remember to keep your body moving. Let the Zen crew keep you motivated and working on your fitness goals even during isolation. They have a stacked class schedule with great options for beginners and more advanced students you can register for and stream online. It’s the next best thing to a group class for now! Why not take this time to learn some pole basics (without the pole) at home?

Kid-Approved

DIY Craftery & Lounge

This little shop is keeping the DIY spirit alive with at-home kits available for pre-order. Each kit comes with all the supplies need to complete a particular project and create your own piece of art. They’ve got lots of great options for the kiddos to get busy (and maybe a little messy) like paint pouring, dream catchers, and string art. For the bigger kids and adults, there are kits that are a little more advanced to make your own terrarium box or jewelry dish.

Guilty Pleasures Bakeshop + Bar

We all need a treats to look forward to amid the chaos, right now Guilty Pleasures is offering free local contact-less delivery on all orders over $25. Our favourite new addition is their DIY decorating kits to keep the kiddos busy. Choose from either a cupcake, cake pop, or cookie package with all the fixings for your minis to make their own sweet creations! You might know the shop for their cakes and cupcakes but they’ve got lots of options to choose from. Housemade bread, preserves, soups, and a coronavirus update on their popular vulgar valentine’s cookies.

They’ve also teamed up with Farquhar’s Dairy, Huckleberries Chocolatiers, and Salty Dog Bagels to deliver their products to your doorstep as well.

Ms. Holub’s Gym Class

You might know Jennifer Holub as a singer-songwriter but in isolation, she’s become our favourite wacky gym teacher! Ms. Holub has a great collection of fun and engaging videos to keep your little ones moving. Your kids will hardly notice they’re learning as they play fun games featuring animals they can find in Northern Ontario, dance, and do Yoga on the Farm.

Science North

Although the science center remains closed for now the staff are hard at work finding creative ways to teach science principles at home. Our favourite series for young scientists is Jenn Learn’s Stuff! Every other Thursday Bluecoat, Jenn explores a new topic and discusses it with a staff scientist. We love how fun and accessible their videos are and if you’re really lucky you might even catch an appearance from, Maple the beaver!

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Sip Something

The Alibi Room

The folks from the Alibi are bringing the Alibi experience to you! They have just launched their brand new cocktail kits – choose from old fashioned, sour, collin, punch, Day at the Races, or Vanilla Espresso Martini. Each package comes with the mix and garnishes needed for your own cocktail and to really complete the experience you can even order some of their yummy shareable appetizers! Check out their Facebook and Instagram pages daily for instructional videos you can follow along at home to get your drink just right. To set the mood plan to tune into their weekly live stream set with DJ Wesley Saturdays starting at 9:30 PM – you’ll almost forget you’re in your own living room!

The Cedar Nest Decor Cafe

Bring tea time home for a limited time! The Cedar Nest is known for its unique dining experience and they’re not skimping out on the at-home version. You can now sip in style with at-home kits for some of their favourite cocktails, The Blooming Empress, and Victorian Rose and The Hunter’s Tea. You can even take your evening to the next level and order a few baked goods or a high tea package with a lovely assortment of sandwiches and snacks.

Crosscut Distillery

What better time could there be to perfect your home bartending skills! Experiment with Crosscuts selection of premium spirits, bitters, and mixers to find your perfect drink. You’ll be the hit of every party from now on! Order online for contact-less parking lot pick up.

Laughing Buddha

It’s just about patio season and that’s definitely making us miss our favourite spot a little bit extra! It might not be the same but now you can order some of the Buddha’s cocktails as kits. Check their socials for availability as quantities are limited and while you’re at it get yourself some fiesty feta and a tasty ‘za!

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Refresh Your Space

Barrydowne Paint

All this home time might be making you a little antsy for a makeover and the folks at Barrydowne Paint have you covered! Their website makes it easy to see trending colours available and you can even chat live with a consultant to help guide you in your colour selection for your quarantine DIY project. Their storefront is closed to the public but they are offering curbside pick up and home delivery.

Good Luck General Store

Have you been missing your plant fix lately? Hannah and Cauli are back at it with online orders to help you bring new life to your home! While you’re browsing don’t forget to check out their stock of other esoteric oddities and self-care products. They have a great selection of Boy Smells candles and incense to make staying inside a little more tolerable.

The Nickel Refillery

The time of year and being trapped inside can only lead to one thing – spring cleaning! While you’re at it this might be a good time to reevaluate how sustainable some of the products you’ve been using are. As you take stock consider how you can implement or replace them with more eco-friendly options. The Nickel Refillery has a ton of options from personal care to household cleaners and tools. Browse their selection online for curbside pick up on Tuesday’s and Friday’s. Your place will be sparkling clean in no time!

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Entertain Your Brain

Bay Used Books

What better time could there be to dive into a good book? Right now you can shop online or send them an email to see if they have what you’re looking for to keep your self busy during the pandemic. They’ll be accepting payment by credit card or etransfer and offering parking lot pick up or delivery via Canada Post. You might have to stay close to home but your imagination can run wild!

Greater Sudbury Public Library

You might think of the library as just books but now is a great time to get familiar with all the different services they offer! GSPL’s digital library will keep you busy with everything from ebooks, streaming movies, magazines, and classes. Right now catch their new Grow Your Own webinar series on regenerative agriculture with local experts. They’ve also got lots of great storytime videos in the works for the kiddos to read along!

Sudbury Indie Cinema Co-op

There’s no time like the present to get into a good film. You can still support our local Indie Cinema during the pandemic by getting your ticket to one of their Virtual Screenings. Still offering the same high quality and thought-provoking film experience you’ve come to expect from the co-op, just streamed at home! They typically have three titles available, your $12 ticket gives you a few days to watch your film and half the proceeds from each ticket go back to the theatre.