DANNEMORA, N.Y. -- People living in the community where the escape and manhunt began are happy the search is finally over, and are able to get their lives back to normal.
"People were very, very cautious. They locked their doors and left their lights on," said Leo "Skip" Maggy, of Maggy Marketplace Pharmacy.
After more than three weeks of living in fear knowing two dangerous killers escaped in their area, the people of Clinton County can now breathe a sigh of relief.
"It's the first time it ever happened and let's hope it never happens again," Maggy said.
The dramatic escape put the quiet town of Dannemora in the national spotlight -- and located directly across from the correctional facility, Maggy's store became the hot spot for hundreds of law enforcement members called in to respond. Grateful for their protection, Maggy says his employees were happy to do anything they could to help.
"We had one of our employees that cooked lasagna, pans of it. Hundreds of cups of coffee and donuts were given free of charge by Dunkin' Donuts to the people they just welcomed them and this is the way the whole area is. When people are down, people come out," he said.
It was generosity Maggy said wais well deserved.
"They worked long hours, they were tired and I think they were sort of glad to see it over so they could get back to their families too," Maggy said.
Though Maggy admits for him, the 23-day search wasn't all that bad.
"We made a lot of friends, we sold a lot of sweatshirts and T-shirts of our prison in our gift shop, but we are just glad to see that it's over," he said.