At-Home Innovations from 14 Local Companies
These local companies have introduced new offerings during COVID-19.
by Callie Langhorne May 15, 2020
We all crave experiences and interaction, and thanks to these Queen City companies that have shifted their business models to new innovations, we are still able to access both. Hopefully one day (soon) we’ll be able to gather with our friends and neighbors and frequent our favorite businesses, but for now, check out how you engage with them in the interim.
Bold Music Lessons
Neighborhood: SouthPark | Online
What better time to pick up an instrument than during quarantine? The Bold Music Lessons team is now offering virtual lessons that are live and personalized for students of all ages and for pretty much every instrument under the sun, on top of production, voice lessons, and songwriting. Plus, they have specific offerings for kids through their Junior Jammers program that establishes a music foundation for years to come. Book your lesson via their website to enjoy in the upcoming weeks or even months – this online platform isn’t going anywhere.
Bustld/LoveStream
Neighborhood: Online
If you’re one of those brides-to-be who is considering moving your wedding, check out LoveStream, Virtual Weddings by Bustld, before you do. Bustld, known for choosing vetted wedding vendors for your big day, has built a new wedding platform for couples to get married digitally, and completely stream the whole process so guests near and far who can’t attend in-person, can still do so virtually. It is a high-quality, high-definition streaming that is as beautiful as the wedding you’ve planned. Available for Love Streaming worldwide, check out their website if you’re wanting to tie the knot sooner rather than later.
Charlotte Museum of History
Neighborhood: Windsor Park | Online
With museums closed for the foreseeable future, Charlotte Museum of History pivoted and started posting virtual tours of some of their exhibits on their Facebook for patrons to enjoy for the time being. Upcoming events include a Lunch & Learn on the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence on May 20 and a Women’s Roundtable to honor Women’s History Month on June 2. Check out their website and Facebook for the latest tours, updates and Lunch and Learn opportunities.
Cody Hughes
Neighborhood: Online
While we are all social distancing and looking for new things to do at home, local photographer Cody Hughes has shifted his business to focus on: puzzles. That’s right, he has turned his beautiful Charlotte skyline photos that you see all over Instagram into 1,000 piece puzzles for everyone to enjoy. Check out the website above to pre-order your puzzle to enjoy for days to come.
CLT Find
Neighborhood: Uptown | Online
Since we all can’t rush back to shopping at once, CLT Find, a women-owned local business located in 7th Street Public Market, has decided to create custom gift boxes that support a group of 90+ local small businesses. Here’s how it works:
1) Message CLT Find on Instagram or Facebook with your budget and any must-have items for your box.
2) CLT Find will then send you options and pictures within 24 hours for you to choose your final choice of products.
3) Once the box is finalized, you’ll get an email to pay your invoice online.
4) CLT Find will then ship your package with a personal note OR set it out for contactless local pickup.
Whether it’s a Father’s Day gift or a sweet gesture for a friend, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect gift from home for the one you love.
Green Brothers
Neighborhoods: Dilworth and Uptown
Known for their smoothies, juices and smoothie bowls, Green Brothers made it easy to enjoy some of their top sellers at home via pre-packaged smoothies. All you do is store in the freezer, add a liquid (apple juice, coconut water, almond milk), blend at home, and voila! Order online via Chow Now or give them a call to pick up your pre-packaged smoothie(s) including a Mr. Joe (banana, cold brewed coffee, cinnamon, peanut butter and chocolate whey protein) or an AB&J (strawberry, banana, almond butter, vanilla whey protein, spirulina, flax oil and almond mylk nutbase).
Not Just Coffee and Undercurrent Coffee
Neighborhoods: Pick up at NJC Dilworth or UC Plaza Midwood
Two local coffee shops, Not Just Coffee and Undercurrent Coffee, collaborated to bring us half gallon iced lattes with your flavor and milk of choice. Now, coffee lovers can sip on as many iced vanilla lattes with oat milk from the safety of their homes, while supporting local businesses. Order online through their websites – both shops have different offerings and pickup times.
QC Nerve
Neighborhood: Online
QC Nerve, Charlotte’s alternative newspaper that reports on arts and music, introduces its newest venture: a Charlotte Coloring Book. With more than 50 pages of coloring activities, this book is packed with Charlotte artists and their representation of our city including color skyline views, popular murals and statues from around the Queen City. Even better news: half of the funds raised from the sales of the Charlotte Coloring Book go back to the artists that contributed drawings to the book. Grab your colored pencils and pre-order your copy by visiting their website.
Reid’s Fine Foods
Neighborhoods: Myers Park and SouthPark | Online
This local butcher shop and restaurant launched grocery delivery in the midst of the COVID-19 madness. Choose from frozen items like baked spaghetti, freshly prepared foods like black-eyed pea salad, dairy products like milk, and produce like local lettuce. Find the full grocery list online and call them at 704.377.1312 (Myers Park) or 704.377.7686 (SouthPark) to place your order. Bonus: There is no delivery fee for seniors, 60 or older.
Rose Gold Rebel
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood | Online
Three words: quarantine care packages. Rose Gold Rebel, a boutique specializing in women’s apparel, has created custom crafted boxes, like the “I Miss Your Face” package (includes a sweatshirt, hat and tumbler) for your bestie or the “Self-Care and Chill” option (includes a sleep mask, an assorted bath bomb and a 6 oz. candle tin) for yourself. All boxes come with the option to add crinkle paper and a notecard to send directly to the recipient. What a great way to show loved ones we are still there for one another, even though we are socially distant. Order your quarantine care package, available for the foreseeable future, on their website.
SkillPop
Neighborhood: Online
Led by Haley Bohon, SkillPop made the call to move all of their normally in-person classes to an online platform. The new product called SkillPop Anywhere allows people to access their expert-led classes, you guessed it, anywhere. From Basic Watercolor Techniques to DIY Hacks for Home Decor to Floral Arranging Basics, they have a class for anyone and everyone. Available every day of the week with no plans to slow down, these classes are about an hour and a half long and cost only $20. Visit the SkillPop website to book your class.
The Stanley
Neighborhood: Elizabeth
While in-house dining is still in limbo, The Stanley, a farm-driven restaurant operated by James Beard nominated Chef Paul Verica, has created services to help bring the stellar quality of their produce and meats to your own home. Order your Butcher Box to support not only their team but their vendors who need the love, too. Email steve@thestanleyclt.com or info@thestanleyclt.com between Tuesday and Wednesday by 2 p.m. for no contact pickup on Friday between 4-6 p.m.
The Unknown Brewing Co.
Neighborhood: South End
The Unknown Brewing Co., one of the most popular breweries in South End, is now using its new distillery to make hand sanitizer called Good Hands. Devoted to helping keep Charlotte safe, they are encouraging people to stock up for their offices and future social interactions as we shift to a new “normal.” For any orders, pricing or information, contact Brad Shell at brad@unknownbrewing.com.