At D&S Automotive, we are proud of our local businesses and individuals that have been able to jump in and help our community during COVID-19. Because of that, we are featuring businesses who are part of the Mentor, Willoughby Western Lake County, Eastern Lake County, or Chardon chambers of commerce that are doing extraordinary things during this uncertain time.
Today, we are focusing on our friends at Company 119 and the website that its staff created in response to the shut down of in-person dining at local restaurants.
Company 119 Creates SociallyDistantEats.com
Located in Chardon and a Chardon Chamber member, Company 119 is a talented team of digital marketing professionals. Specializing in creating websites and a drive to go above and beyond for their clients, Company 119 partnered with restaurants from Northeast Ohio, Akron and Columbus to launch SociallyDistantEats.com.
SociallyDistantEats.com is a non-profit project that was created so that restaurants can submit their business information and note if they provide online ordering, delivery or curbside services. Ever since Governor DeWine ordered the closure of dining-in services at restaurants in March, these services are the only way restaurants are able to connect with their customers.
After the order, Nick Goers, Lead Web Developer at Company 119, started noticing posts on his social media feeds about local restaurants launching new pick-up and delivery services, sparking the idea. Using the technology and resources available from Company 119, Nick spearheaded the launch of SociallyDistantEats.com, taking less than 24 hours!
“When Nick presented SociallyDistantEats.com, our whole team rallied together around it to help the restaurants and small businesses we know and love,” Nate Winne, COO of Company 119, told us. Nate added, “When a need or crisis arises, we want to be the ones solving problems and serving others. Our motto has always been to run toward fire.”
The website was launched and word spread fast after sharing information about SociallyDistantEats.com on their company’s social media. On the first day, they received over 100 comments and 150 restaurants had already submitted requests to be listed. The site currently boasts over 400 restaurants.
Since the launch, the site has been updated with mapping and sorting features. And while the website is currently focused on Ohio restaurants, it is designed with the capability to be used in other cities and metropolitan areas across the country.
Because of the success of this project, Company 119 is looking into developing the technology for other industries as well. “Company 119 was founded and built upon a set of core values, the first of which is to treat our team, clients, and community the way we would want to be treated.” Nate explained. “We seek opportunities to do just that, as we believe we’re in this together.”
If you own a restaurant in the area and would like to be added to the website’s directory, visit SociallyDistantEats.com and submit your business information. The team at Company 119 is updating the site as additional restaurants come in.
There is no shortage of additional stories of businesses rising to the challenge. We will be highlighting more local businesses doing great things for the community throughout the week.
As for D&S, we are open and operating under adjusted hours of 8:00 am – 5:00 pm M-F.
Here are the actions we are taking:
- We are sanitizing all vehicles before and after each repair. Our employees are paying special attention to touch points such as keys, seats, steering wheels, door handles, and shift knobs.
- We are offering complimentary pick up and drop off of vehicles so you do not need to leave your home. Employees picking up and dropping off vehicles are required to wear gloves and a face covering.
- You can get a repair estimate from home by using our online estimate tool.
- We will work with you in terms of payment over the phone or any other precautions to ensure as little contact as possible.
- We are cleaning our facilities frequently with sanitizing products.
- We are taking precautions to ensure the welfare of our employees. This includes instructing employees who feel ill to stay home and consult their healthcare providers, as well as, instructing all employees to be vigilant about frequent and proper hand washing.
- If you feel sick, please visit our Collision Centers at a future date, stay home and seek advice from your health care provider.