Shelter-in-place rules and non-essential business closures during the COVID-19 pandemic have hit many small businesses hard. To survive, some have found creative ways to generate revenue and promote themselves for better times ahead.

And, as one local business in my hometown reminds us, we need to make time to connect—even if it’s through a screen. Hats off and glasses raised in a toast to The Grocery Cocktail & Social in downtown Vancouver, Washington!

Tonight at 7 p.m., they’re hosting a Virtual Cocktail Hour via Zoom. Grab your favorite beverage, log in, relax, chat, and laugh. We all need these connections right now!

Go to the Grocery Cocktail & Social’s Facebook page for more details and instructions for setting up Zoom and logging in.

Here are some tempting pictures of The Grocery Cocktail & Social’s drinks and fare for the days when we can return to their lounge to indulge.

Left: Cocktail and salad from The Grocery Cocktail & Social (photo by Rediva Apartments). Right: A Flower Power Sour created by Stephanie, a bartender at The Grocery Cocktail & Social (photo by Debbi Reaves)