Frequently Asked Questions

What do we offer?

Eat Shop Play helps small business owners increase their visibility through free digital marketing webinars designed to elevate their online presence. Enrolled businesses will gain valuable insights through free tips, tricks, and tools provided by experts and industry leaders. Registered businesses can also be featured in Metro’s local marketing campaigns, including banners, e-blasts, and social media promotions.

How much does it cost to join the program?

The program is free to participating businesses.

Who is eligible to join Eat Shop Play?

Businesses must be businesses that provide a product, experience, or service. Schools, religious institutions, and government agencies are not eligible. Qualifying businesses fall into three general categories:

• Eat: Restaurants, cafes, coffee-shops, catering businesses, and pubs that serve food. Bars that do not serve food are not eligible.
• Shop: Retail shops as well as services such as salons, mechanics, and professional services.
• Play: Museums, arcades, and fitness, recreation, and subscription-based spaces such as co-working spaces or social clubs.The following business types are excluded from participation: liquor stores, adult/sexual content, medical marijuana clinics, weapons, and schools and non-profit businesses engaged in teaching, instructing, counseling or indoctrinating religion or religious beliefs. For more information, please see Metro’s advertising guidelines.

Does Eat Shop Play provide grants or financial assistance?

No. However, Metro’s Business Interruption Fund (BIF) is another construction mitigation program dedicated to assisting mom-and-pops through one-time grants. Find more information here.

Does Eat Shop Play assist with internal business practices, such as record-keeping and human relations?

Not at the moment. Eat Shop play helps business owners promote their businesses, whether that takes place through online learning, one-on-one coaching sessions, or Metro marketing campaigns.

How long can my business stay in the program?

Business participation is renewed annually and can continue until the project reaches a steady state of completion.

How do I sign up?

Enrolling is easy and free. Sign up for Metro Eat Shop Play Business..