Connecticut
Family-owned business in Seymour bounces back after historic flooding
Five months and two weeks. That’s how long it took to reopen a beloved quilt shop in Seymour.
“Relieved. Yeah, I think maybe relieved,” said owner Cheryl Ogrisek.
Ogrisek and her husband Brian lost their shop after a historic flood over the summer, which took over homes and businesses in southwestern Connecticut. Communities in Oxford, Southbury, and Seymour are still recovering.
Security footage captures the moment floodwaters tore through their store, wiping out their business of over two decades.
“The next day we talked about what do we do, do we reopen? Do we close? And Brian literally said flip a coin and decide in the air.”
“I said if you flip a coin, you’ll know what wanted to come up,” said Brian Ogrisek.
They made a huge come back and they didn’t just leave it up to chance. They had their whole community by their side, eager to help them get back on their feet.
“If it weren’t for all the folks behind the scenes with like donating towards the GoFundMe’s that we didn’t even start. The GoFundMe’s were started by customers,” said Brian.
One woman says her husband helped out with the cleanup and built cabinets.
“Cause I work, and he’s retired. And it didn’t take really anything for him to come down and help. That was just something he was going to do, and he knew how upset everyone was in the community,” said Robin Litke, of Oxford.
On Saturday, shoppers burst through the doors, ecstatic to see the lights back on.
“Being here all fresh and clean and new is wonderful,” said Cathie Couture, of East Haddam.
The storm wiped out one of the walls. Everything – the floor, shelves, and fabrics – was covered in mud. So much had to be replaced, but one thing that survived was a quilt.
“Every single block that we were given is in there, I made a sure of it,” said Cheryl.
Ogrisek made this quilt with her neighbors during the pandemic.
Now, it hangs high on the wall, serving as a reminder of what can happen when a community, much like the patches of a quilt, come together.
“It’s our community, it’s just the world we live in,” said Cheryl.
HARTFORD, CT — A popular culinary destination in Connecticut’s capital city says it will be the place to be to watch the biggest sporting event on the planet.
Parkville Market in Hartford will kick off its “Summer of Soccer” celebration June 11 with a watch party for the Mexico-South Africa match, launching a series of soccer-themed events planned throughout the summer.
The Hartford food hall will broadcast matches both inside the venue and on its outdoor patio.
Organizers said opening-day activities will include face painting, custom T-shirt making, giveaways and a 360-degree photo booth.
Parkville Market’s 22 food vendors, which feature cuisines from around the world, are expected to be a central part of the experience as visitors gather to watch international soccer matches.
In addition to match broadcasts, visitors can use the venue’s new mini soccer pitch outside.
Organizers encouraged guests to bring their own soccer balls and play during events.
“Soccer is the world’s game, and Parkville Market is where the world comes together,” said Carlos Mouta, owner and CEO of Parkville Market. “And let’s go Portugal!”
Special event activations are planned for June 11, June 27 and the tournament final on July 19, according to organizers.
Located at 1400 Park St. in Hartford, Parkville Market is Connecticut’s first and largest food hall. The venue includes 22 restaurants, three bars, private event spaces and outdoor dining areas.
In a post on X, New Haven Police Department said officers were out with a shooting victim in the area of Orchard and Charles streets at 6:43 p.m.
Police said the victim’s injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.
New Haven police Officer Christian Bruckhart said the scene was still active as of 6:45 p.m.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
ROCKY HILL, Conn. (WTNH) – A water main break in Rocky Hill Sunday morning will impact traffic for much of the day on Grimes Road.
According to Rocky Hill Police the break happened at approximately 7:10 a.m. in the area of 40 Grimes Road between Louis Place and Hillside Avenue. Motorists are advised to take alternatee routes and avoid the area.
The Metropolitan District Commission is on scene making repairs which could take up to 8 hours.
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