Society & Culture
A couple of episodes back, we did an update on Richardson restaurants (https://thisisrichardson.com/revisiting-richardson-restaurants/) in light of the COVID-19 situation, so in this episode we wanted to revisit some of the Richardson places we’ve talked about in previous episodes. Editor’s Note: This situation is changing day-by-day, so this is the latest from the businesses on the day we’re recording. Check out each place’s website or social media for the most up to date information. The UPS store on Coit and Campbell (https://locations.theupsstore.com/tx/richardson/1920-n-coit-rd) is open for business, but when we go check our mailbox, we’ve noticed customers and staff are definitely practicing social distancing and wearing masks. Richardson Bike Mart (https://www.bikemart.com/about/richardson-pg2159.htm) is also open for business. The Richardson location is only providing bicycle service at this time, but they do have online purchasing options and even some deals going on. The Kids Play Co (https://thekidsplayco.com/) is currently closed, but their website says they’re considering an option for “Private Play” where one family could reserve the play area for an hour at a time. So reach out to them if that’s something you want more information about. Toby‘s School of Dance (https://tobysdance.com/) are both offering livestream classes. All of Toby’s classes, in particular, are being taught via Zoom, which I just love. Their website said “Don’t fall into the trap of too much screen time, isolation, and inactivity,” and I thought that was such an important reminder during this stressful time. As we talked about on a previous episode, the spring concert was postponed for the Richardson Community Chorale (https://www.rcchorale.org/) . The Cottonwood Art Festival has been canceled as has the Wildflower Arts and Music Festival. Events at the Eisemann Center (https://www.eisemanncenter.com/) have been canceled or postponed through May 17, but check out their website for tickets that are still available for purchase for future events. So I don’t know about you, but going to the park and going to the library are two of the things my girls have missed the most during all of this. Parks and trails remain open (https://www.cor.net/departments/parks-recreation) , with social distancing encouraged of course, but people are discouraged from using the playgrounds and park fixtures because it’s hard to keep them clean enough to ensure safe use. The Richardson Public Library (https://www.cor.net/departments/public-library) building is also closed but offering curbside pickup. Also, as a librarian myself, I feel the need to say very clearly that our library buildings might be closed, but libraries remain open. Most of us are still providing a huge number of electronic resources and online services, and the Richardson Public Library is no exception. Finally, the Richardson Animal Shelter (https://www.cor.net/departments/animal-services) is allowing visitors by appointment only, and those appointments are for reclaiming a pet or adoption. Volunteers and community service activities have been suspended for now. I’ve seen several people that have taken this opportunity to adopt a pet. They’re home more and able to train it. It’s good for their mental health during this stressful time. And it gives an animal a much-needed home. So if it’s something you’ve been considering, this just might be the time to do it. The Richardson Animal Shelter can still help you out with those adoptions. So that’s a quick update on the Richardson businesses and places we’ve featured in previous episodes. Again, that’s subject to change, of course, but we thought it was important to take a snapshot of where we are now, to highlight and support some of these places even if they’re closed, and... Support this podcast