Yes, it is a new save. Also, I'm pretty sure it wasn't doing that a few days ago, so I don't know what changed unless there was a stealth update.
aaaand now the shops are frozen again, maybe it hates even-numbered levels
edit: still frozen at level 23
edit edit: and now working again after I sold off my loot, maybe the amount of gold effects things somehow?
edit edit edit: frozen again after nothing at all changed, I give up. it's web gremlims or something, idk