(WXYZ) — Many folks have had to cancel their travel plans this year because of the pandemic. That includes people who wanted to come to visit Michigan.
But if your favorite hometown foods are the reason to make a trip, your taste buds get the experience without leaving home!
A website called Goldbelly ships famous food items from several vendors, including the ones in metro Detroit. This is another lifeline for some businesses, like American Coney Island, Buddy’s Pizza, Shatila, and Good Cakes & Bakes
“We’ve been in business in Detroit for 103 years. I’m third generation. We’ve been families serving families,” said Grace Keros of American Coney Island.
Keros with American Coney Island and April Anderson of Good Cakes & Bakes have a lot in common. They are both popular when it comes to foodies in Detroit. They both can also be found on Goldbelly.com.
“You enjoy our products and now you can send our products to your loved ones to other places,” Anderson of Good Cakes & Bakes explained.
Joe Ariel founded Goldbelly in 2013 but its popularity skyrocketed this year.
“Think of the best local foods from every city, every town in the country but you can have it shipped to your door,” he said.
That means your favorite local food can be sent to your friends and family who can’t travel to Michigan because of the pandemic.
“The number one reason people like to travel is for food and all of a sudden that’s not something people can do,” Ariel added.
Not only does this give them a taste of home, but it helps support local restaurants and bakeries. Good Cakes & Bakes started shipping their famous goodies in September.
Business has increased so much, Anderson had to hire staff that only handles Goldbelly orders. They make cakes 24/7 because they are shipping about 200 cakes a week.
It seems many businesses on Goldbelly are selling out for the holiday season. That includes American Coney Island’s kits that get shipped in dry ice.
Goldbelly says they are exploring more hometown favorites for the new year.
“We are fortunate that we can empower them and create revenue, keep people employed,” Joe Ariel said.
Go to Goldbelly.com for more information.
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