The Penticton Downtown Association is introducing a new online marketplace to assist merchants and services in selling their products during the COVID-19 pandemic.

(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)

Downtown businesses in Kamloops and Okanagan cities are adapting to new realities created by the COVID-19 pandemic as self-isolation keeps people away from the downtown core, and out of retail shops.

Downtown Penticton Association Executive Director Lynn Allin says the first phase of a new online marketplace for downtown merchants and services is in the works and will be introduced on Friday.

The online marketplace will list business and service providers with an online store, or those that offer sales and service over the telephone or through a virtual platform. 

The application form for Penticton businesses interested in participating is available online.

The new online marketplace will be available starting Friday, and can be found at the downtownpenticton.org website.

Penticton's marketplace also offers food and beverage businesses that remain open with modified service delivery, the Penticton Downtown Business Association said in a press release.

“We know several producers of craft beer, wine and spirits plus many restaurants are taking orders online or over the phone and have expanded their takeout and delivery options. We want to help customers find these businesses as quickly and easily as possible,” Allin says.

The association plans to reach out to other organizations such at the Chamber of Commerce and Travel Penticton to see if those members are interested in participating, once the downtown businesses have been included in the online marketplace.

“We keep hearing local residents want to support local business. This is one simple way to park them with our many wonderful businesses that offer exceptional products. We’re all in this together,” Allin says.

Vernon Events and Promotions Coordinator Heather Sharpe says the Downtown Vernon Association has been working together with the Vernon Chamber of Commerce and local business to maintain one consolidated and comprehensive list of Vernon businesses that are open and have adapted their offerings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Vernon marketplace is maintained on the chambers website and can be found here.

In Kelowna, a number of online community resources are available to assist local business during the COVID -19 pandemic, including creating a list of delivery and take out options from local restaurants that remain open.

Downtown Kamloops marketing & events' Samantha Desouza says most Kamloops businesses have their own online store.

“Kamloops does not have a marketplace as such,” she says.

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