Support your favorite local businesses in the time of Coronavirus

Spring has sprung, and it’s the time of year when we long to be dining al fresco, checking out the newest scary rides at our favorite amusement parks and socializing with friends at the first festivals of the season.

Coronavirus had other plans for us in this fateful year of 2020. So what’s a struggling local business to do? Change its business model, ramp up online sales, or sell gift certificates to their loyal customers who believe being proactive today will bring about a better tomorrow.

Wondering how you can support a favorite local restaurant, attraction, brewery or other beloved establishment in Germany? Buy now and enjoy its products at home or at such time as the business is once again up and running.

Here is just a sampling of the countless on-the-economy businesses presently using their creativity to bridge the gap while their income streams run close to dry. Of course, you know best which businesses you cherish most, so be sure to check out the offers made by the places that color your life happy. You might find you have better luck discovering special offers on a business’s Facebook page than its actual website. Note Stars and Stripes Europe has no affiliation with these establishments, and some of these incentives may have expired since this list was pulled together.

Brauhaus Castel: this Bavarian-styled brewery and beer garden in Mainz-Kastel is offering its customers the chance to purchase kegs and cases to take home from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. daily. The address is Otto-Suhr-Ring 27.

Chocolaterie Amelie: a luxury chocolate shop in Garmisch-Partenkirchen now offers a drive-by service. Place an order before 10 a.m. and pick it up between noon and 3 p.m. that same day. Those who prefer to remain home can arrange for their orders to be delivered by a courier on a bicycle. The address is Ludwigstr. 37.

Dinkelacker: beer brewed by this maker should have been flowing freely at Stuttgart’s beloved Frühlingsfest; instead, its specially brewed festival edition is being offered at a 30% discount when the Gutscheinkode (voucher code) STAYHOME is applied to online orders of a case of 20 beers.

Indisches Restaurant Ganesha: this Indian restaurant in Grafenwöhr is now offering takeaway service on its dishes. Hours of pick-up are from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5 p.m.-10 p.m. The address is Marktplatz 31.

HOP IN Craft Beer Bar: this bar in K-Town’s pedestrian zone is offering 2-liter cocktails to go from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Mojito, anyone? The address is Steinstr. 15.

Waldklettergarten Stuttgart: this obstacle park through the treetops requests that future visitors support it by means of the purchase of a voucher for admission, and to offer an incentive to would-be customers, they’re offering a special 20% discount on purchases of single admission passes, season tickets or special events.

Weingut St. Antony: this winery in Nierstein is temporarily waiving the postage and handling charges on its wines when they are ordered online, even if you only purchase a single bottle.

Wiesbaden restaurants: a number of cafes, diners and other eateries that are used to serving diners on-site are now offering their dishes as take-away options instead. To see which ones have switched to off-site service, see instagram.com/supportwiesbadenfood/ and from there, check out the offers posted on the individual establishment’s website or Facebook page.