Although several Newtown businesses closed shop this year, the town did experience an influx of many new businesses, including a brand new shopping mall on South Main. Here are 10 notable ones this year:

SANDY HOOK 

1. Fun Kids, Church Hill Road: This offshoot of the popular children's hair salon, Fun Kuts, carries consignment items for infants to size 14, as well as good condition toys and furnishings. The stores are located in adjoining storefronts in Sandy Hook Center in the space formerly occupied by a computer service center. 

2. Demitasse, Glen Road: Previously home to Mocha, this new coffee mecca serves an extensive selection of coffees and teas as well as an array of local baked goods and in-store prepared breakfast and lunch items. 

3. Figs, Church Hill Road:  Recently enclosing its front porch and substantially enlarging its dining area, this bistro, formerly a private residence at the corner of Dayton and Church Hill  features a wood-fired pizza oven serving both lunch and dinner menus. 

Hawleyville

4. Papa Al's: Two brothers, Newtown residents Ferzi and Bekim Selmani, and their cousin, Fiat Coma, opened this pizzeria in March. The brothers had worked for their father at San Remo's pizzeria in Woodbury and decided it was time they opened their own place, which is named "Papa Al's" in honor of their father.

SOUTH MAIN 

5. The Happy Cheesesteak, South Main Street:  Traditional cheese steaks, pulled pork and assorted grilled chicken grinders complete with fries and soda are some of the items served at this new lunch and dinner establishment on South Main. The eatery also has several salad choices as well as a complete children's menu. 

6. Pacific Asian Bistro, South Main Street: This new restaurant in Highland Plaza specializes in traditional and non-traditional Asian cuisines, hibachi tables and an extensive sushi menu served in the dining room and at the separate sushi bar.

7. Bead of Roses, South Main Street: This store was a transplant from Monroe. Owners Lisa and George Rose of Monroe said they moved because they needed more space for their popular bead jewelry and craft store. They 274 South Main St., Plaza South Retail was a perfect location because it was just 3 ½ miles from their Monroe site, making it convenient for their loyal customer base.

DOWNTOWN 

8. World of Education, Queen Street, Big Y Plaza: Newtown's only storefront selling material for educators, World of Education also has an extensive line of educational toys - perfect gifts for the young set.   

PLAZA SOUTH

The plaza shops are currently in various stages of construction. Following is a listing of a few of the businesses that have recently opened their doors:. 

9. Cork N Barrel: Floor space measuring 6,000-square-feet gives this shop the space to accommodate the largest inventory of wines and spirits in our area.  Filled with more than 50,000 bottles of wine, beer, liquor and spirits the owner is looking to grow his customer base to neighboring towns as well as Newtown residents.  

10. The Meat House: A non-traditional butcher shop, The Meat House specializes in products to complete the whole meal. Premium beef, poultry, veal, lamb, and pork, as well as breads, produce and prepared side dishes can be purchased here. The shop also features locally grown products and baked goods.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to include Papa Al's, which opened in March. Sabrina Style had been listed in this article but has since been removed. The store opened prior to 2010.