only in connecticut

A competition will soon be underway in Berlin. You can win a prize, but organizers hope you’ll participate to help support local businesses too. It’s called “Berlin Bingo.” To check off a box on your game sheet, a unique task needs to be completed at a business in town. “Everything from buy a coffee, burger, pizza, even visit a...

A competition will soon be underway in Berlin where you can win a prize by helping boost local businesses.

Re-read Books & More opened in November. The used book and specialty shop gives young adults with intellectual disabilities on-the-job work training, experience that’s been even harder to get during a pandemic.

There’s a new bookstore in Cheshire that’s helping members of our community blossom. Re-read Books & More opened in November. The used book and specialty shop gives young adults with intellectual disabilities on-the-job work training, experience that’s been even harder to get during a pandemic. “I worked at a hospital and they first furloughed me from March to July...

As we count down the days to a sweeter new year, a local soda company is saying “cheers” to all we’ve been through as a community. Avery’s in New Britain is bottling a special soda to mark the historic year. They’re calling it, “I Survived 2020.” It’s a bitter lemonade. “Well when life gives you lemons, what do you...

Avery’s in New Britain is bottling a special soda to mark the historic year. They’re calling it, “I Survived 2020.”

The pandemic has pumped the breaks on air travel. With fewer folks taking flight, Connecticut’s aerospace industry has taken quite the hit. But an East Hartford company is making the best of a difficult situation. It has pivoted from creating parts for planes to also stirring up some holiday cheer by crafting their take on the Hanukkah dreidel. “Not...

An East Hartford company is making the best of a difficult situation by pivoting from creating parts for planes to also stirring up some holiday cheer by crafting their take on the Hanukkah dreidel.

Just like sheep traveling in herds, Connecticut farmers support each other in herds. Therefore, unlike most business sectors, Connecticut sheep farmers don’t really compete against each other. For years members of the Connecticut Sheep Breeders Association have been working together to shear up interest for sheep in the state and help each other make a little extra money. Something...

Even during a pandemic, Mystic was a sought-after summer staycation. But now that it’s getting colder, locals hope you won’t neglect the quaint village this gift-giving season. Store owners there are ready to help you pick out the perfect gift for that special someone whether in-store or online. “People have been very kind. People are wanting to support local...

Mystic isn’t just a summer destination – local store owners are ready to help you find that perfect holday gift.

Sheep farmers from across the state have come together for the past two decades to create blankets made with Connecticut-farmed wool.

If every picture has a story to tell, Teah Muller has heard thousands “We’ve been in New Haven since 1934. It’s been in my family since the mid-60s,” said the manager of her family’s company, Merwin’s Art Shop.   For decades, the Chapel Street store has been helping community members preserve memories. “Customers bring us sort of unusual things...

As the busy holiday shopping season gets underway, local cities are encouraging residents to shop local and small to help businesses struggling amid the pandemic.

As the holiday shopping season gets underway, New Haven economic leaders hope people will support local businesses over big box retailers this year.

As we approach the gift giving season, small businesses hope you’ll consider shopping local. They say your business is a gift to them during these difficult times. This holiday season, you can check off your gift list and support your community from the comfort of your own home. Sassy Black Yarns is one of more than 60 small, locally owned…

NBC Connecticut is bringing you stories of small businesses across the state so you can shop local this holiday season!

Today is the first of many “Only in Connecticut” stories we are bringing you during the holiday season to show you how you can support your community and complete your shopping list.