Think you know Connecticut’s friendliest small businesses?
A survey by Advance Funds Network polled “3,104 adults and combined direct consumer feedback with each business’s Google review score to create a final ranking.” Three from Connecticut made the list.
Taking the top spot in the Nutmeg state is The Toy Tree in Newtown at 46th overall, according to Advance Funds Network: “The Toy Tree is one of those magical small-town shops where the friendliness feels instant. The staff is great with kids, great with parents, and wonderfully hands-on when it comes to recommending age-appropriate toys or helping you hunt down something imaginative. It’s colourful, bustling, and genuinely joyful — a place where customer service feels like part guidance, part playtime. Newtown locals swear by it for a reason.”
RJ Julia Booksellers in Madison landed at 102nd overall, while Hartford Prints! in Hartford rounded out Connecticut’s representation at 114th, according to Advance Funds Network.
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Matchbox Candle Co in Sioux Falls, South Dakota took the top spot nationally with a Google review store of 5.0, according to Advance Funds Network. Check out the full list here.
“Small businesses don’t have million-dollar marketing budgets – they have people,” said Irving Betesh, CRO of Advance Funds Network.
“What this study shows is that friendliness isn’t just a nice extra. It’s a competitive advantage. When customers feel remembered, welcomed, and genuinely cared for, that human connection becomes more powerful than any discount or promotion.”