LCBO Food & Drink Spring 2021

ONTARIO MAKERS

Anniversary idea: pick a puzzle to support a spot that’s meaningful to you and your partner.

Tabletop trend

How doing puzzles at home is helping small businesses across Ontario. By Brenda Morrison | photography by darren kemper

Last spring, when the coronavirus caused the province-­ wide shutdown of bars, restaurants, breweries and other small businesses, creative designer Paddy Harrington and printer Rich Pauptit wanted to help some of their favourite establish- ments. Together, the pair came up with an ingenious—and affordable—way for people to support beloved businesses: made-to-order jigsaw puzzles.

HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES

HELPINGONTARIANS During the Depression, jigsaw puzzles were espe- cially popular as a rela- tively cheap form of fun. Fast-forward nearly a century, and puzzles are more popular than ever. For anyone staying home because of COVID-19, a cancelled vacation or rainy weather, working on a jigsaw offers a terrific distraction from reality, serving as an excellent alternative to scrolling through headlines and social media.

TAKE YOUR PICK PieceTogether continues to grow as establishments across Canada get on board. The collection of puzzles includes such leg- endary Toronto venues as the Horseshoe Tavern and Lee’s Palace, as well as gourmet restaurants, small-town diners, bars, breweries and more. So whether you’re interested in having a custom puzzle created for your own business or want to pur- chase some to support your favourite spot, go to wepiecetogether.com.

PieceTogether gives pa- trons of small businesses a unique way to provide financial support—beyond ordering takeout. For each 300-piece puzzle ($35) purchased, Piece­ Together donates $15 back to the business associated with it. The genius of the project is that once a business signs up, there is no additional work. From design and printing to processing orders and shipping, PieceTogether looks after it all.

Puzzles feature a signature dish or drink, an interior shot or the storefront.

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SPRING 2021 FOOD & DRINK