The latest in a number of pandemic-era collaborations between the Newtown Chamber of Commerce and the municipality’s Office of Economic & Community Development (ECD) is aimed at keeping all local businesses alive and thriving — and doing it by promoting safe shopping practices, including wearing protective face covering when patronizing those businesses.

The two organizations have hung “Newtown loves local” banners on the Church Hill Road railroad bridge and at Edmond Town Hall in the hope it will remind residents to think of local businesses first, before venturing to out-of-town big box stores or hastily clicking their orders through on retail and service websites.

Christal Preszler, deputy director at the ECD office, said she sees the sustainability of local businesses as being important to the vibrancy of the community.

“I feel that the creativity and passion of Newtown’s business owners and workers make that especially true in our town,” Preszler said. “These people not only invest in our community and give the town its character, they are also our friends and neighbors.”

She said Newtown’s ECD department is happy to continue supporting Newtown businesses and the community as a whole, with the creation of the banner campaigns.

“By working with the Newtown Chamber of Commerce, we aim to encourage residents and visitors to support Newtown and Sandy Hook shops — and to help protect our community by social distancing and wearing face coverings,” Preszler added.

Challenging Times

Chamber President W. Scott Anders believes in these challenging times, the importance of local businesses and entrepreneurs has never been clearer.

“We all suffer a loss when we see shuttered businesses and empty stores in our community,” Anders said. “They need our help. Ordering goods online has never been easier or more pervasive since lockdowns were imposed, however, if we want to preserve the community we have built in Newtown, we all must make a conscious effort to take perhaps a more inconvenient path to seek out and buy what we need in our town.

“Each one of us can make a real difference by deciding to buy local,” he added.

Newly named Chamber Executive Director Helen Brickfield said it just feels good to shop locally in Newtown.

“Shopping local is safe and convenient. Newtowners want to support our small businesses. But life is busy and a little reminder to shop local is always good,” Brickfield said. “We hope the banner is a gentle reminder to shop local. Plus wear your mask, wash your hands, and social distance. Let’s stay healthy. Let’s stay open. Let’s support our local business community. It’s a big part of what makes Newtown, Newtown.”

Chamber Vice President Judith Miller spoke to the added challenges business owners have to help keep themselves, their workers, and patrons as safe as possible, while maintaining state initiated mandates.

“I am so thankful for all of our local businesses who have worked so hard to implement safety protocols so we can continue to enjoy getting out in our community safely,” Miller said. “I feel Newtowners have rallied behind supporting our local business owners. With cold weather around the corner we will need to find creative ways to continue that support based on our own comfort levels [with things like] curbside shopping, dining in or takeout, and private sessions for exercise.”

Local business owners could not agree more. Melissa Beard of Flower Design by Melissa said the pandemic is taking a massive toll on her business.

“As an event florist, my business has decreased by about 90-95 percent since most events have been canceled or postponed due to COVID,” she said. “The intimate weddings that I have been able to do are amazing — and I’m privileged to be a part of them — but they are not enough to sustain a business.”

Modified Business Plan

Since the pandemic, with all of its health-guided restrictions, hit the state, Beard says she has changed her business plan to include some daily orders.

“Flowers make people happy,” she said, “and remember, when you buy flowers from a local florist you are supporting a local artist, local wholesale representatives, and farmers.”

Lauren Morehouse at Julie Allen Bridals said her company is also working to accommodate clients.

“We’ve made a lot of accommodations for our brides who have needed to postpone their weddings to a future date,” Morehouse said. “We’ve been in contact with them every step of the way and have tried to make it the best experience possible for them in this very emotionally trying time. It has kept us very busy.”

Former Newtown ECD staffer and local resident Betsy Paynter now serves as a business advisor for the Connecticut Small Business Development Center (CTSBDC). She said small business owners are often neighbors who donate to local nonprofits and hire local companies to support their business needs.

“Buying local helps support our small businesses, which create character and vibrancy in the communities where we live,” Paynter said, “and they strengthen our local economy.

Paynter reminds business owners that the CTSBDC offers 100 percent confidential and no-cost business advising for entrepreneurs and existing small business owners, and support for businesses looking to access capital, expand their operations, acquire new customers, or open a business for the first time. Register at ctsbdc.com to get connected with a one-on-one business advisor.