General store gets use out of generator

HAMPTON, Conn. (WTNH) -- Communities across the state woke up to find trees down and the lights off Wednesday.

For one town in Connecticut's "Quiet Corner" this is the third time this summer that customers have had to deal with power problems.

"Come in, plug the generator, and get some hot coffee for the community," said Robert Rodriguez, owner of Hampton General Store.

Nothing wrong with sitting in the dark.

"How about an egg, cheese, and ham sandwich" said one customer.

Provided there's good food and good company. The Hampton General Store offers both.

"It's a great little small town and everybody pulls together," said Kathy Rodriguez.

Owners Kathy Rodriguez and her husband Robert knew the generator would get a workout after one phone call.

"I was woken up at 5:30 this morning, from a call from Germain, she's our 70-year-old baker at the store, and she told me she couldn't open the garage door to get out to the store," Kathy said.

With the majority of the town without power, folks went to the general store to fuel up.

"This is how we do things here," Robert said.

With or without a way to pay.

"If the machine isn't working, it's no problem," said Perry Matchinis, customer, "just write a credit slip, come back in here and pay him."

"We try to help each other in any way we can, that's how it usually works," Robert said.

The beauty in the darkness is that you can see the joys of small town living as clear as the light. You get the feeling some prefer it this way.

"You have that small town, everybody knows each other trust, that's what's nice about it," said Matchinis.

It forces them to stop and visit.

"You get to meet a lot of good people in here," said Robert. "Lot of nice people in the community."

More than 80 percent of the town is without power, the First Selectman tells News 8 they're hoping to have the lights back on by rush hour. Due to safety concerns, they also shut down the elementary school for the day.