NEW ALBANY, Ind. — New Albany is known for its small town feel and friendly atmosphere.
After two fatal shootings in the last 10 days, residents and businesses are sharing concerns when it comes to their safety and turnout for their businesses.
Monday's fatal shooting marks the 5th homicide in the city this year while last year the city saw two, according to New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey.
"When you think of New Albany, it's much safer, it's not like the bigger inner cities" Penny Buzek said.
Buzek is the manager of Salon B in downtown New Albany.
"You usually don't have to worry about that type of stuff, but it seems to be getting closer to home," she added.
Buzek was at Harvest Homecoming when shots were fired killing an 18-year-old Corydon teen.
She's worried the ongoing gun violence could affect people who visit downtown New Albany. "It worries me," she said.
Although she's concerned, Buzek insisted the community will persist.
"It's still New Albany," she said. "There are still vibrant businesses down here, and people that have nothing but good things out for you and were still very much a community," she added.
Next door at Rookies Cookies and Cakes, owner Shara Augsburger was also at Harvest Homecoming.
Instead of seeing that day as a loss, she decided to give back.
"What we already packaged to sell on Sunday, we offered to sell on Tuesday at a discounted price, and then we donated the proceeds to the Gerlach family."
Both stores are optimistic about the future and want customers to continue to shop locally.
"Whether you're a business owner, manager, renter, work downtown, or just like in New Albany, I think this is going to change all of us whether we want to or not," Buzek said.
► Contact GMK weekend anchor/ reporter Gabriel Gonzalez at ggonzalez1@whas11.com , Facebook or on X.