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As one might expect when entire industries are built around socializing with friends, British Columbia's wineries, distilleries, and craft breweries and cideries have been devastated by the COVID-19 lockdown of the past few weeks.

Business has plummeted across the board as B.C. residents have been told to stay home rather than meet with up with friends for a drink. And by plummeting, we're talking revenues being down as much as 80 percent at places that have bills to pay even though there's little money coming in.

But at the same time B.C. residents have upped their drinking by as much as 40 percent according to government estimates. Thanks to heightened demand, liquor stores have been allowed to open as early as 7 a.m. to help ease lineups.

To help get things back on track, or at least draw attention to what's been a grim spring, the BC Farm Crafted Cider Association, Craft Distiller's Guild of British Columbia, BC Craft Brewers Guild, and the BC Wine Institute have banded together with message: buy local.

Representing over 500 B.C. based liquor producers, the above big four have launched a campaign called Time to Buy British Columbia.

In announcing the rollout, the industry collective posted the following on the timetobuybc.ca web site:

During these unprecedented times, we think it’s important to support and give power to our local economy. BC business employs thousands of local workers and is the major driver of local economic health. And we need healthy BC Businesses for a strong job market when we exit the tunnel of this crisis. So, when making your next purchase, think about one of the thousands of BC companies that need your support.

In some ways, the message of the initiative isn't new, notes BC Craft Brewers Guilde executive director Ken Beattie.

"We’ve always been keen to make British Columbians aware of our strong craft beer industry and we keep trying to steer them away from national and international brands and to support our communities," he told the Straight. "This desire heightened obviously after March 15. Like many business sectors right now, the craft beer, wine, cider and distilling industries were hit hard and sadly will be one of the slowest to recover after the curve flattens.

"Virtually all B.C.-based manufacturers shut down their tasting rooms," he continued. "Breweries and cideries that supply the majority of their product in draft format to bars and restaurants that are now shuttered are on the verge of closure. Now, more than ever, British Columbians should look to support B.C.-based companies when they choosing their alcoholic beverages."

Time to Buy British Columbia sprung out of email and phone conversations between players from all sides of the province's liquor industry.

"t got together quite quickly," Beattie said. "I should say some reports say that retail alcohol sales in B.C. have seen a significant increase in the last month, a large amount of these sales go to companies based out B.C. and Canada. Also many of our local cideries, breweries, wineries and distillers do not sell at retail level and rely on selling on-site. Tasting rooms and the on premise locations are where these locally owned businesses thrive. At the best of times locally owned small to medium B.C. business cannot compete against multi-national marketing budgets. This program was created to remind all British Columbians when purchasing alcohol support your local business first , we need your help to survive this pandemic."

As requests go, it's not exactly one you have to think hard about the next time you're in a liquor store. Whether we're talking craft gin, late-harvest ice-wines, hopped-peach ciders, or guava saisons, the province has no shortage of operators creating what are considered world-class products.

Not sure what you should be picking up the next time you're getting ready for a rip-roaring one-person party?

Go here for more information, including a list of the small and medium business which are asking you to help out by buying B.C.