Some CT Shops Close, Fundraise in Solidarity with 'National Shutdown'

Organizers urged people all over the U.S. not to work, go to school or shop on Friday, one week after a similar demonstration in Minnesota.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 4:15pm

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A smattering of businesses in Connecticut closed their doors or donated proceeds on Friday as part of a national effort to demonstrate opposition to large-scale immigration enforcement operations. While closures weren't widespread, some shops like Honeycone Craft Ice Cream in Chester, Hartford Prints!, and Gentle Bull Shop in Hartford shut down for the day. Other businesses like Strange Ways in New Haven and Farm Belly in New Haven remained open but donated portions of their sales to refugee and immigrant services organizations.

Why it matters

The 'National Shutdown' was organized to show solidarity with a similar demonstration in Minnesota the previous week that shut down nearly 1,000 businesses, schools, museums and shops as tens of thousands of residents marched in protest. The Connecticut actions, while limited in scale, reflect growing concerns over immigration enforcement and a desire by some small businesses to take a stand.

The details

Organizers behind the 'National Shutdown' urged people all over the country not to work, go to school or shop on Friday. While closures in Connecticut weren't widespread, a contingent of businesses were closed, including Honeycone Craft Ice Cream in Chester, Hartford Prints!, and Gentle Bull Shop in Hartford. Several other businesses remained open but donated a portion of the day's proceeds to legal aid or other causes, like Farm Belly in New Haven and Tony's Flour Shop in Cromwell.

  • The 'National Shutdown' demonstration took place on Friday, January 30, 2026.
  • A similar protest happened the previous week in downtown Minneapolis.

The players

Honeycone Craft Ice Cream

A shop in Chester, Connecticut that closed for the day in solidarity with the 'National Shutdown'.

Hartford Prints!

A gift shop on Pratt Street in Hartford, Connecticut that closed for the day and left bins outside filled with free signs urging U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to stand down.

Gentle Bull Shop

A vintage clothing store on Pratt Street in Hartford, Connecticut that closed for the day and taped protest signs to its windows.

Strange Ways

A gift shop in New Haven, Connecticut that remained open on Friday but encouraged participants in nearby demonstrations to stop by if they needed a place to warm up.

Farm Belly

A breakfast and lunch spot in New Haven, Connecticut that donated half of its Friday proceeds to a refugee and immigrant services organization.

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The takeaway

The limited but meaningful actions taken by some Connecticut businesses, ranging from closures to fundraising, reflect a growing desire among small enterprises to take a stand on issues of immigration and social justice, even if it means potential short-term economic impacts on their operations.