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NEDERLAND — Locally owned businesses have modified their services in this time of social distancing and quarantines, and the Nederland Economic Development Corporation is working to spread the word.

Kay DeCuir, executive director of the NEDC, has been compiling lists of restaurants and businesses in Nederland that are open and, through advertising, is sharing this information.

“We are trying to keep our businesses open,” she said. “The goal is to retain business, grow business, and we are here to help them think outside the box.”

Technology is a plus — customers can check out websites and Facebook pages, they can call the establishment, make an order and pay, then either have the product or food delivered or opt for curbside services.

The NEDC office also has information about Small Business Administration loans. Go to nededc.com for more information.

DeCuir recently partnered with The Port Arthur News to launch a series of promotions highlighting the Nederland restaurants still serving delicious meals and the various businesses open for clients in a variety of ways.

The promotions will appear in print, at panews.com and will be shared through The News’ Twitter and Facebook pages.

Local businesses

Butcher’s Korner is a blend of meat market, restaurant and other services. Though the storefront is closed, it is still catering to customers.

Manager Scott Nutt explained the store recently started back up with a full menu, but the only difference is the customer calls in the order, pays and the order can be picked up curbside.

There are also meat packages. Just call in the order, pay over the phone then drive around to the back of the business and it will be loaded curbside.

Butcher’s Korner is selling cooked meals as well, such as the upcoming hamburger meal for four. Check its Facebook page for details.

Ace Hobby & Gifts is catering to its customers through curbside or by-appointment service, owner Felicia Rossi said.

If a customer needs to shop, she will make accommodations with a scheduled appointment.

“This is our third week to be closed but that is what we do,” Rossi said of the new way to shop.

The shop also creates gift baskets and snack baskets.

Currently Ace Hobby isn’t charging for local delivery, she said.

How the community can help

DeCuir said the community can help by shopping local and patronizing the businesses, even if they do not want to get out and about.

“I had 10 front porch deliveries last week,” DeCuir said of shopping. “They sent a text that the order had been delivered with a thank you note.”

Local businesses are using their gas and time to make deliveries, and some local businesses are even shipping their goods out-of-state, she said.

Another way to help local businesses is to buy gift cards. You may know someone retiring or with a birthday coming up, so this would be a good time to buy a gift card, DeCuir said.

“With most of the businesses I visit and talk with each week, they are upbeat,” she said. “They are proud and upbeat. I feel for them because they are in a hard place right now, but most of them have a continuity plan.”

The pandemic is something no one has gone through before, but DeCuir has seen Nederland and surrounding communities recover after floods and hurricanes.

“This time we have electricity, we have water, we have our technology and we have our food that is essential to keep our bodies healthy and spiritually well,” she said. “The economy will rebound.”