The organization may dedicate itself to supporting all types of commerce and industry in Newtown, but its leadership often reminds those who are not members that the local Chamber of Commerce is a small business, too.

“We are working hard to stay top of mind in the business and consumer community,” said chamber spokesperson Helen Brickfield recently after The Newtown Bee (a charter chamber member) checked in to see how the agency has been doing through the latest phase of the pandemic.

“We are trying to survive as we are independent and rely on member dues, events, and sponsorships,” Brickfield related. “Our keys events like Newtown Day were canceled. And chambers were excluded from federal support like the PPP programs because we are viewed as lobbyist organizations.”

Brickfield and other leaders at the agency often find themselves enlightening those who are not members, and others unfamiliar with its mission and role.

“Many people think chambers are part of town government,” she said, “they are not.”

Brickfield explained that in order to support businesses with information, resources, and through connections — and keeping them in front of their target audience is how the Newtown chamber is serving members and the community.

The chamber’s latest creative project is its “We Are Open” campaign.

“The program includes chamber members and businesses that we hope will join the chamber,” Brickfield said. “It is easy and a fun way to let everyone know you are open safely. Businesses can pick up a sign and create their own videos or picture campaign. Once completed — the Chamber shares on our social media and member’s posts are also shared in our weekly e-mails.”

As customers explore the new normal along with the businesses they patronize, Brickfield has noticed that businesses following new virus-related safety protocols are maintaining and even building a more loyal customer base.

“Consumers want to get back to not worrying about their health while they shop and eat out,” she said. “The ‘We Are Open’ campaign is a great way to let consumers know you are open and operating safely.”

To date, more than 18 local businesses have jumped on the “We Are Open” campaign, but there is room for many, many more.

Positive Merchant Reactions

Chamber president and financial advisor W. Scott Anders is very pleased with the response to the “We Are Open” campaign.

“This initiative plays directly to our role as a chamber — helping our members recover and generate business,” Anders said. “The purpose of this campaign was to increase awareness and rebuild confidence and we are seeing it make a big impact for our businesses and customers.”

Karen Serke, director of the Merryhill Child Care Center, Inc, says her center is “open to support our children and families.’

“We are strictly following the guidelines to protect everyone’s health and safety, all while having fun learning and growing together. We want people to know ‘We Are Open’ if they need child care and want to become part of the Merryhill family,” Serke said.

This year the Lathrop School of Dance went by the Vivian Greene quote, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

“It’s a beautiful thing to see all the ‘We Are Open’ signs, because that means we all made it through this storm,” said owner Tamra Saric. “We personally went to Zoom and outdoor classes in order to keep going, and are now starting fall classes safely inside. It may not be over, but we are all in it together.”

To the Newtown Chamber of Commerce, The Newtown Bee, Facebook groups such as Newtown Shopping and Newtown Moms, fellow small businesses — especially those who advertised in Lathrop’s recital program this year — and to loyal customers who for Lathrop are “family of the heart,” and many others, Saric says “thank you for supporting the Lathrop School of Dance as well as other small businesses in our community.”

Martina Sprague, owner of Balanced Pilates & Barre Studio says her studio is open for business seven days a week.

“Our number one priority is the safety, health, and well-being of our clients,” she said. “Due to COVID, our focus is on private Pilates sessions and small group Pilates training. We have gone above and beyond state and CDC guidelines and have spaced our equipment 12 feet apart. My studio is offering our community a safe way to engage in physical activity.”

And at BD Provisions, co-founder John Boccuzzi, Jr, recalls back in March when things were shutting down, he pivoted to a curbside pickup program and customers embraced it. As things started opening back up this summer, BD Provisions continued to offer curbside and added new store procedures to keep employees and customers safe and healthy while creating a fun shopping experience.

“We installed plexiglas at the register, customers and employees wear masks in-store, and we sanitize customers’ hands and provide gloves as they walk in,” he said. “We also upgraded our coffee dispensers so they are touchless. No question the world is different, but we are adjusting to the new norm and our loyal customers are amazing.”

Bocuzzi was surprised to learn that more than 30 percent of his shoppers have been first-timers since the pandemic started.

“I also want to share how proud we are of our amazing staff in both Newtown and Fairfield locations,” he added. “They have stayed strong throughout this entire period and we are so grateful. I also want to share that we did not lay anyone off during this period. We felt it was super important to keep people employed in the community.”

Persevering And Surviving

Under countless coronavirus-related challenges, Brickfield said many Newtown merchants have pivoted, flexed, and stretched their capabilities to stay open, reopen, and survive.

“I am in awe of small businesses owners — they have been on the front lines,” she said. “They are open — in many cases working harder for less — they have shown amazing resiliency, and yes, they have been scared to be open on some days, hesitant to ask customers to follow safety protocols, and some have even taken a beating online from a small group of consumers.”

But once again, Brickfield observed, Newtown has shown up.

“Customers have been kind, generous, and are shopping,” she said. Countering any naysayers, she pointed out that new online groups have formed to help businesses let consumers know they are open, and are posting recommendations and glowing reviews.

While virtually all other in-person chamber activities have been curtailed, the organization is still moving forward with its annual golf tournament.

The 13th Annual Chamber Golf Outing will take place September 15 from 11 am to 7 pm at Whitney Farms Golf Course, 175 Shelton Road in Monroe.

Brickfield says the outing is a great way to do some networking for your business.

“Consider inviting a prospective client and use the time to get to know them better” she said. “Bring an existing client or three, and take the opportunity to say ‘Thank you for your business.’

“The golf outing is the chamber’s largest fundraiser of the year,” she added. “It is a great day of golf, food, fun, and camaraderie. We are seeking volunteers for shifts during the day, as well as items for the silent auction. This is a great way to showcase your business.”

To sponsor or participate in the golf tournament CLICK HERE

For information about joining the chamber, visit www.newtown-ct.com.

All members and brick and mortar businesses are invited to participate in the “We Are Open” campaign. E-mail helenbrickfield@newtown-ct.com to participate, or message her via the chamber’s social media sites.