Business & Tech

Rain Didn't Dampen Spirits At Mystic Stroll

Businesses Predicted A Busy Night

Neither rain, nor well, rain could keep folks away from the Tuesday night.

Beginning at 6 p.m., people started gathering, slipping in and out of shops, and caroling. Many, with hot cider in hand strolled from one end of downtown to the other. 

Some retail shop owners said that with at the end of November, the holiday business has been brisk, and they hope Tuesday, inclement weather notwithstanding, would be good too.

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“We did really, really well [on Small Business Saturday] said Manager Janie Whipple. “I think we’ll be busy tonight.” 

Carrie Spinner, whose family owns , said she fully expected a lot of support from the community especially given the stroll is historically always a crowd pleaser. 

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“People look forward to the stroll,” she said. “I don’t think [the bad weather] matters. Local people support [local business].” 

And as if on cue, a shopper came in to the store and said as much. 

“We’re keeping our money local,” Dana Planeta said.

She was shopping for toys with two friends, Lynn Patalano and Amanda Oakes. “We have kids, we need toys.” And Planeta added that downtown merchants have had a “tough year” what with construction, , and streetscape work downtown. 

Downtown merchants greeted both shoppers and carolers—from Mystic River Chorale and Ledyard High School—many shops offered goodies including hot cider and cookies. 

In the windows at , two shop employees posed as live mannequins greeting shoppers. 

“It’s cool,” said Reka Keller who joined Laura Hurn in the window, manager Val Fogg standing by. 

“We’re making the best of the rain,” said employee Beth Pribula who predicted a busy night. “There are a lot of people out and about so that’s a good sign."

A couple of people who were out and about were Diana and Bob Bortolin of Mystic. 

“We’re supporting our local economy,” Diana said dodging rain drops. “And the stroll is a lot of fun.”


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