Staff report

There’s gold in them thar Falls. Don’t forget cash, silver and jewelry.

Fieldview Acres Mercantile in downtown Newton Falls said it is taking a creative, communitywide approach to draw attention back to the town.

Known locally as “The Merc,” the business announced a long-term treasure hunt designed to encourage residents and visitors to explore Newton Falls, spend time throughout the community, and support the small businesses that help sustain it.

As part of the hunt, a real cache of cash, gold, silver, and jewelry worth thousands of dollars will be intentionally hidden in the coming weeks somewhere in the village. Once placed, the hunt will unfold gradually through clues released over time, rewarding observation and patience rather than speed or competition.

“This is our way of inviting people to come to Newton Falls, explore the town, and hopefully support the local businesses they encounter along the way,” Fieldview co-owner Tom Colosimo said.

The hunt will be free to participate in, requires no purchase and has been designed with clear safety guardrails in place. No digging, climbing, trespassing, or entering unsafe areas will be required, and the treasure will be located on publicly accessible ground. The finder will keep the treasure.

While the prize itself is intentionally structured to avoid chaos, the experience is meant to be lasting, encouraging repeat visits and sustained interest rather than a single rush of activity.

“We want people to walk our streets, visit our shops, grab food or coffee, and see what Newton Falls has to offer,” Colosimo said. “If this brings more awareness and support to businesses across the entire town, then it’s doing exactly what we hoped.

Once the treasure is hidden, clues will be shared periodically through The Merc’s social media channels. The Merc will publicly confirm when the treasure has been found and formally close the hunt at that time.

“The prize will not be life-changing, but it will be substantial,” Colosimo said. “And if you’re the one who finds it, you’ll remember this for the rest of your life.”

For updates, clues and official announcements, the public is asked to follow Fieldview Acres Mercantile on social media.