Toms River Business Among Those Struggling in Sandy Aftermath

A Toms River business is among the many at the Jersey Shore still struggling to truly "get back to normal" in Superstorm Sandy's wake.

Richard Purpuri, owner of Purpuri Shoes, 23 Main St., Toms River, said the storm demolished the roof of his building, causing water damage inside, according to a story on app.com. He was approved for two federal Economic Development Authority loans for as much as $320,000 to help remodel the store.

It’s a project he’s looking forward to, but it isn’t his biggest concern. Instead, he said 10 percent to 15 percent of the cards he sends to his long-time customers are returned, a sign that they have moved.

He’s appreciative of the state’s program for businesses and thinks all of downtown Toms River will benefit from his project. But he hopes more aid for his customers is on the way.

“The people are the key,” Purpuri said. “Are those people getting back in their homes and getting their lives back to normal?”

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