Think about the word local. Merriam Webster defines it as “primarily serving the needs of a particular limited district.” Ponder that for a second.

When I sat down to think about what local means to me, the first thing that came to my mind was all the amazing local businesses in and around Fairfield, CT. There is currently a state-wide campaign called Do Your Thing CT that celebrates these small, family-owned establishments that I can count on for various needs. I am especially reminded of these businesses when I think about March 2020 and how I relied on them when our world turned upside down. Throughout this pandemic, although facing unmeasurable challenges, these businesses continued to serve the public.

So, this is my thank you note to all the small businesses in my town of Fairfield!

Dear Steady, hard-working, loyal, and friendly businesses in Fairfield,

Thank you. It’s that simple; thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for being there and for being you. I am so appreciative of your business. I am appreciative of your products and services, and I am appreciative of the fact that I can count on every one of you for many different reasons on any given day.

To The Pantry. Where do I start? Your bakery, your prepared foods, your salad bar. During quarantine, your curbside pick-up saved me more times than I could count. When I pop in to grab Aladdin Bread, salmon cakes, or panko-crusted chicken tenders, I am always greeted with a smile. Your staff is kind and helpful, and your management is always available to help. You baked my daughter’s baptism desserts, cooked my Thanksgiving sides, and provided the most delicious game-day snacks. Thank you!

To BD Provisions. What a brilliant business you are! No waste? So creative! Your coconut coffee is the best around, your snacks are a crowd-pleaser, and your basil olive oil is untouchable. I have called in countless times to place teacher gift orders and ship gifts to family members and have always been greeted with, “We will take care of you!” Oh, and I also highly recommend your shower steamers and soup mixes as we head into colder weather. Thank you!

And right across the street – Vintage Garden! You have gifts for all occasions – baby, wedding, graduation, hostess, and special holidays. Your home décor is so fun to look through, and I love your 203 and town-specific gifts. You have gifts for any budget, and you saved me during quarantine when you shopped for me and shipped Mother’s Day gifts to my mom and grandma! I always have so much fun in your shop! Thank you!

To Hands On Pottery. You host one of the best birthday parties in town (and you have a pretty impressive outdoor set-up for them)! Your pottery projects have provided endless entertainment for my children – to-go kits, painting special items in the store, and painting pieces for holiday gifts for loved ones. And no one will ever top your customer service – when my family was in quarantine (we contracted COVID) – Jim, the owner, personally delivered projects to my front step! If you are a member of the PTA, Hands On Pottery offers amazing fundraisers for your school (we have done one at our preschool, and it was a huge success)! Thank you!

Little Pub, you are our go-to takeout spot. We are so fortunate to have several amazing restaurants in town, but Little Pub is one of our favorites! Whether it be a date night or dinner with the kids, you are a crowd pleaser! I LOVE your new outdoor seating; it is so convenient and fun! I’m still dreaming of your soul food dumplings, ahi tuna tacos, and Little Pub salad, even though we just ate there last night! Thank you!

I can’t possibly list every business, and I’m sorry for that because on the regular I rely on She la la, Bodega, The Fairfield University Bookstore, The Granola Bar, Alina’s Cakes and Cookies, Wild Rice, A&S Fine Foods Fairfield, Geronimo’s, Park Lane Opticians, Saugatuck Sweets, and Harry’s Liquor Store. 

As we enter the holiday season, I encourage you to support these small yet remarkable businesses around our town.

To celebrate, we are giving away a $20 gift card to each of the featured Fairfield businesses; The Pantry, BD Provisions, Vintage Garden, Hands On Pottery, and Little Pub. One lucky winner will be selected on Friday, October 15, 2021. To enter to win, please click HERE!

A joint effort between the Office of Governor Lamont and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Do Your Thing CT! takes a distinct approach by partnering with local influencers who create their own content promoting their favorite spots and activate their social networks encouraging residents to support local businesses.

Residents and visitors can participate by posting a video or photo of their favorite locally owned small businesses in Connecticut using the hashtag #DoYourThingCT on social media.