Greater Victoria shoppers will soon be able to get free shipping from a variety of local shops and stores in downtown Victoria.
On Monday, the Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA) will be launching Downtown Delivers, a brand new program that gives local retailers the ability to provide free overnight shipping to customers in Greater Victoria.
The new program offered by the DVBA subsidizes delivery fees for eligible retailers, meaning Greater Victoria shoppers won’t be the only ones getting free shipping, local shops will too.
“If you shop online at one of our member retailers, the delivery is free overnight. It’s not only free for the shopper but it’s free for the retailer as well,” said Jeff Bray, executive director of the DVBA.
With the new restrictions from public health officials brought in last month, Bray says some people might not be willing to head into downtown to shop, so the DVBA is bringing the shops to them.
From Sidney to Sooke, at-home delivery of foods and goods is free for all residents.
It’s also a big relief for downtown businesses such as Merchant Quarters General Store, which opened the day after the pandemic was declared.
“We opened March 12 and closed March 18. We reopened with open arms on May 1, and it’s been amazing ever since,” said Karen Fyall, the general manager.
Not having to pay local shipping is an unexpected Christmas gift for the small local shop.
“There’s just a lot of people who just don’t want to come out, so they’ll go online. It’s going to open up so many doors and options for people,” said Fyall, excited to start selling more products online to Greater Victoria locals.
It’s also a big boost for Nomadex Bike Cargo, a cycling courier service run by only two friends Jordan Fraser and Josh Goldstein. This small business was hired alongside other courier services to help meet the shopping demand.
This year, the duo will be busy replacing Santa’s sleigh with bikes, peddling packages to your door.
“Basically customers place an order with the business, almost as if we didn’t exist, to make it as seamless as possible,” said Josh Goldstein, one of the two cyclists.
Not all businesses in the downtown core are part of the DVBA. It’s best to check out the list on the DVBA website to peruse the long list of shops, services, and restaurants.
Once your order’s in, the couriers head out to pick it up and the package is on its way to your house within 24-hours.
“Amazon is doing great, they don’t need that $20 purchase, but that $20 purchase made locally stays within our community and flows within our community. It’s so powerful right now,” said Bray, urging everyone to support the businesses in their own city before the large international stores.
Bray hopes the Downtown Delivers program will encourage Greater Victorians to combine the ease of shopping online with supporting local.
“I ask for a little patience, it’s all new to us and we put this together kind of quickly,” said the DVBA executive.
For a full list of participating shops, click here.
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Rebecca Lawrence
