New Web Page, Social Campaign, Shows that Walker is Open

You asked, we responded.

Many of our Leech Lake Chamber members asked for a new web page to display current menus, takeout options, and hours of operation. It was a safe, sanitary idea: Business owners wouldn’t have to print multiple fliers to keep in the store. Customers wouldn’t have to grab fliers with their hands, spreading germs along the way. It’s amazing how such acts, like taking a flier, are ones we never thought of before 2020.

But better yet, now community members and customers have one place to go to find who is open right now in the Walker, MN community. We bring you one hub to learn a business’ hours, menu and takeout options. Just log onto https://leech-lake.com/walker-now/.

As we enter June, many businesses in our state and our communities look forward to reopening. And yet many residents aren’t so sure about venturing into restaurants for a sit-down meal, or a store to browse, just yet. Some residents are immuno-compromised. Others may have family members who are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19. Still, others may just want to take extra precautions, staying as socially-distanced as possible for the foreseeable future.

For this reason, we have asked our Chamber members to include details about whether they will continue to offer delivery and carryout options. We hope this helps all of our residents: Both those who are looking for a long-awaited night out for dinner, and those who are still staying home, yet eager as ever to support local business.

You can also find which Chamber members have been awarded with a thank-you from the Leech Lake Chamber, for implementing safe social distancing and the healthiest standards possible. Look for these logos around our website, as well as around town!

With the new web page, we’re also entering June with our new social media campaign, reminding all of our community members to shop local, eat local and to complete business needs locally. We’re excited to join the City of Walker, Cass County, Leech Lake Tourism Bureau and Cass County Economic Development Corporation in this endeavor to keep Walker open now, into and through the summer.

We want to let all of our businesses and community members know that we could not have done this without you. When words like “shut down” and “lockdown” became the norm, you, our business community, made sure to open your doors. As the country grappled with an uncertain economy in an uncertain pandemic, you, our community members, made sure to continue supporting those businesses.

By staying local and keeping Walker open, you aren’t just supporting local businesses, the local economy and the employment of local people — though that’s certainly important. You’re also supporting local schools. You’re supporting local groups. You’re supporting the Walker community as a whole.

You have continued to enjoy dinners, desserts, brunch and takeout. You continued to enjoy arts, antiques and candy. You stayed in Walker to shop for the necessities. You ordered gifts and flowers to lift the spirits of your loved ones, or maybe even to treat yourself.
As time went on, benches even emerged around the town of Walker, for us to enjoy our takeout outside.

As we look forward to summer, we take baby steps toward our new normal. And we want to thank you. Even in a global pandemic, we can say: We are Still Open in Walker.