Since the tragic Dec. 14 school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, many businesses in Sandy Hook have been on a roller coaster ride.
"Since the tragedy, Sandy Hook had way too much traffic in the beginning," said Newtown Economic Development Coordinator Betsy Paynter, referring to the barrage of media, well-wishers and onlookers who swarmed the streets in the weeks after the shooting. Road closures and a shortage of parking only contributed to the problem.
"All the sudden, there was no traffic."
The Newtown business community has been looking for a road to recovery. Earlier this month, Gov. Dannel Malloy approved a for the small businesses of Sandy Hook.
So Paynter worked alongside the Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity and We Are Newtown to launch the I Heart Sandy Hook Cash Mob. The idea: use social media and other forms of outreach to flood businesses in the area with customers and support.
"Usually it happens with a single business," said Paynter. "When they come to town, people flood a store to welcome them." This time, over two dozen businesses in Sandy Hook will be on the agenda -- from restaurants like Figs to children's favorites like The Toy Tree -- and everyone is welcome, said Paynter.
"We're asking the community to go down there on this Saturday and refamilairize themselves with Sandy Hook, and just to gain positive energy," she said.
For more information, visit Experience Sandy Hook.
