Monroe businesses in Stevenson are still recovering from Sunday’s flood damage with either a loss of customer traffic along Route 34, or extensive damage to infrastructure, making it difficult to operate at all. Z-Topia business park, 1545 Monroe Turnpike, was among the hardest hit.
A powerful stream of water flowed down the driveway of Z-Topia during a flash flood last Sunday, covering its commercial buildings, parking lot and vehicles with three feet of water. Among the damage, a floating log crashed through the bay door of the warehouse for A Little More Space self storage.
On Thursday afternoon, a crumbling section of asphalt in the driveway resembled rippling waves and layers of mud covered work vehicles, including the lower half of a pickup truck that was totally encased.
Anthony Galbo, owner of Galbo Provisions. Inc., a large distributor of Boar’s Head deli meats, said he was out to dinner with his family on Sunday, when someone texted him a video of the flood.
“I said, ‘I’m done,'” Galbo recalled, before leaving the restaurant to go onto the Stevenson property to survey the damage.
He said a van from Bethel International Ministries, a church in the business park, and his company’s loading dock were underwater.
“Where we’re standing, the mud was up to here — three feet high,” Galbo said, pointing to his stomach as he stood outside his building Thursday. “It will cost $15,000 just to clean the mud — and that’s just the estimate. We didn’t get the bill yet. The mud was up to the bumpers on the loading docks.”
“The cleanup is unbelievable,” he said. “The roads are damaged. The vehicles are damaged … all the computers for refrigeration.”
Galbo said he felt lucky the motors of the refrigeration units kept running, so Galbo Provisions did not have to throw any food out. But because the computer systems are out, Galbo said his compressors will all have to be replaced for $100,000 to $150,000.
Though Galbo Provisions is currently able to keep its business running, My Color Events & Design LLC, which is also housed in the business park, has been devastated.
Yousuf Ali started My Color Events & Design LLC, a business providing decor for weddings, baby showers and other parties, in his garage eight years ago and enjoyed steady growth over the years. He had warehouses in Shelton and Bridgeport, before moving his entire business to lease space in Monroe.
“We moved here last year,” Ali said. “It was a beautiful location. It caught my eye.”
My Color Events & Design helps customers plan their parties, designs the schematics, then trucks furniture, stages, lighting, backdrops and other decor from its warehouse in Monroe and sets it up for them.
But on Thursday, ornate chairs and backdrops, many featuring artificial flowers — waterlogged and covered with mud — had been hauled outside into the parking lot.
A box of lights was completely caked with mud. Ali held one up. “Each one of these lights is $250,” he said.
Large puddles led to the warehouse entrance, as an employee used a push broom to sweep water out of the bay.
Ali, who is a certified wedding planner, showed a line on a door, left behind after the floodwaters receded. It nearly reached the height of his chest.
“I’m out of business,” he said. “I canceled all the events. There is literally nothing we can recover. Look at that sofa … everything’s gone. I go home and feel like crying.”
Much of what My Color Events & Design uses is shipped from India and China, taking several months to arrive. Ali estimates 85 to 90 percent of his furniture, decorations and lighting is damaged beyond repair.
“How will I pay my rent and survive?” he asked. “I’m lucky that my truck wasn’t here. Usually we leave it here.”
‘Local Businesses Open’
At the bottom on Route 111 (Monroe Turnpike), a line of orange cones and concrete barriers guides traffic turning left onto Route 34, heading toward Newtown.
In the other direction to the right, the state roadway is totally blocked off after The Waterview at 215 Roosevelt Drive.
A flashing electronic sign in the middle of the intersection bears the message: “Local Businesses Open”, reminding drivers of businesses along that short stretch of road.
A wedding party had to evacuate from The Waterview the day of the floods, when erosion created a massive crater behind the property. On Thursday, a backhoe went to work filling and stabilizing the hole.
“We have events this weekend,” said Joanna Sherriff, one of the owners.
Though the back of the property was impacted, she said the wedding venue overlooking scenic Lake Zoar can still host outdoor ceremonies with some of the lawn fenced off.
Sherriff expressed her gratitude to the town, noting how health officials, building officials, police officers and firefighters checked the grounds for safety during the week.
“Everyone came. It was really nice support,” she said. “The town’s been great. The work in the back will be done two weeks from Monday.”
Other businesses open on Roosevelt Drive were the Henny Penny gas station and convenience store, Jensen Tire, Auto & Marine, Brand Cigars, the Dunkin’ Donuts next to the small Post Office, The Painted Goddess Salon, a tattoo business and Lakeside Wine & Liquor.
Inside the liquor store, manager Christian Pennino rang up a customer’s order at the front counter.
“It’s been a little bit slower for sure,” he said. “We don’t have the traffic of people going back and forth to work on 34. We’re losing business from Oxford and Seymour and it takes people longer to get here.”
“I’ve spoken to a lot of customers in person and on the phone in Oxford and Seymour and they already miss us and are supporting us when they can,” he said. “We’re doing deliveries at night. It’s all community, so we try to help each other.”
Lakeside Wine & Liquor, which is owned by Pennino’s brother, Anthony, delivers from 5 to 7 p.m. when customers call anytime before 5, at 203-491-2288.
Pennino said he is encouraged to see the Connecticut Department of Transportation trucks in the area. “We’re grateful,” he said. “There’s a lot of effort going on.”
A costly cleanup
George Zwally, owner of Z-Topia, used a large payloader to clear storm debris from the complex. He said a new drainage pipe will cost $28,000 — just for the pipe itself.
“It will all come down to the federal government,” Galbo said. “We need grants and low interest loans just to get back in business.”
Galbo decided to move his family’s business to Monroe three years ago, when his company had outgrown its Fairfield headquarters and made a significant investment in his building and grounds.
“This is only one-year-old,” he said, looking at the damage around him. “I’m just trying to get back to square one. Every dime is in this, my home equity.”
Galbo encourages all business owners to document their damages in hopes of securing financial aid.
Of the entire business park, he said, “we’re looking at half a million dollars just to get back to how it was Friday.”
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