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Donna Heitzman of Syracuse, NY, left, and Mindy Juliana of Fairbanks, Alaska, purchased “East Palestine Strong” merchandise earlier last week from Manetta’s Furniture & Decor. Pictured with them is owner Melissa James, center. (Photo by Amanda C. Davis)

EAST PALESTINE – Prayers, well wishes and donations continue to pour into the community, but Mindy Juliana and Donna Heitzman want to support the town in a different way.

The two walked downtown Tuesday, opening their wallets — and their hearts — to local business owners. The story doesn’t seem so unusual until you consider where they came from.

Juliana, of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Heitzman, of Syracuse, New York, are friends who haven’t seen each other in 10 years. Juliana flew to Cleveland this week for a work conference and the two met, with the specific goal of visiting a community still reeling from the February 3 train derailment.

“People all over the world know what’s going on here, and we American citizens care,” Juliana said. “It’s a beautiful city.”

The two visited a place near the derailment, ate at Sprinklz on Top and walked down North Market Street.

A customer orders lunch at the Paige’s Deli food truck, which will set up several days this week at McKim’s Honeyvine & Winery, 735 E. Taggart St., not far from the train derailment site. (Photo by Amanda C. Davis)

“We shopped all day,” Heitzman said. “We want to buy something in every store.”

Friends bought three shirts at Manetta’s Furniture and Decor, 77 N. Market St., a move owner Melissa James appreciated, since foot traffic is usually slow this time of year, she said. .

WEEKLY SHOPPER

Heidi Shiderly of Enon Valley, Pa., makes the 10-minute drive to East Palestine several times a week to shop. He lived in East Palestine 30 years ago, knows many of the shop owners and says he worries that people will avoid the area because of negative press, rumors or because they are afraid.

Shiderly always goes shopping with her mom. They start at one end of town and stop at businesses for food, to buy things or to talk “hello.”

Mindy Juliana of Fairbanks, Alaska, sits quietly near the site of the Feb. 3 train derailment, where cleanup continues. (Photo courtesy of Donna Heitzman)

The evacuation order was lifted on February 8, and since then, Shiderly and her mother have shopped in East Palestine 27 times.

“It’s a beautiful city with good people,” he said. “It always and always happens.”

Residents and business owners are warm, friendly people, Shiderly said, adding that East Palestine has a “small town feel” which many people dream of. He thought it would be great if families living outside of East Palestine traveled for a day to support the shops and restaurants.

Business owners, some aggrieved, like that too, he said, adding: “They’re just nice, nice people … drive by and see for yourself.”

SPRING FLING

The East Palestine Chamber of Commerce will host a Spring Fling from 9 am to 4 pm April 8 in town. Breakfast with the Easter bunny and a Chinese auction will be held at the community center, 31 Park Ave. Treat bags will be given to the first 100 children in attendance. Many of the businesses in town will have offers and sales, and officials hope to boost business and bring people back to the community. Manetta’s will host an adult Easter egg hunt and prizes will include discounts available in store.

East Palestine chamber officials and Mayor Trent Conaway did not respond to questions to discuss the economic impact from the derailment.

Guy Coviello, president/CEO of the Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber of Commerce, however, said the chamber’s foundation plans events to help retail businesses in East Palestine with “Tell East Palestine Days” which is scheduled soon starting in April.

“We want to do what we can to help retail establishments in East Palestine,” Coviello said.

UPTICK

The eastbound Norfolk Southern train was carrying hazardous chemicals, and a controlled burn was initiated to prevent an explosion, officials said. The town was evacuated and businesses closed for days.

The company promised to make things right in the community and James said a company representative bought 20 shirts from him.

Joy Mascher, owner of Flowers Straight From the Heart, 99 N. Market St., said Norfolk Southern buys flowers and vases from her and donates them to nursing homes. He said he missed a lot of business on Valentine’s Day but hopes to pick it up by prom and Mother’s Day.

“Hopefully, we will not be forgotten,” he said.

John Myers, manager of T&M Hardware & Rental, 193 E. Taggart St., has seen an increase in business from residents and town workers for the cleanup. Patty Zocolo, coordinator of the town’s Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, stopped by last week to buy all five-gallon buckets at T&M and plans to fill them with cleaning supplies donated from the Michigan company.

He said Rich Ferris, grand knight with the local Knights of Columbus, will distribute the buckets of supplies on a first come, first serve basis, and that both are happy to buy locally. “I know these guys must be hurting a little,”he said.

hOPE

Tom Brittain, owner of Brittain Motors, 57 E. Martin St., grew up in East Palestine, where his grandfather started the company 98 years ago. He said he sees hope in his community and believes Norfolk Southern is keeping its promise. Good things are happening in the city, despite all the negativity and “sensational” press it was obtained when reporters from national and foreign news organizations were around, he explained.

“We’re fine,” he said. “I have no doubt that everything will return to normal.”

Juliana and Heitzman said their purpose for the visit was to reflect on the derailment and send compassion to the community. They even came in to thank Fire Chief Keith Drabic and his staff for the work they did after the derailment.

“A lot of lives have been affected by this,” he said. “It’s any city, America.”