West Hartford Business Buzz: February 1, 2016

A round-up of openings, closings, and other news about West Hartford businesses.

By Ronni Newton

Happy Monday, and Happy February! It’s hard to believe that an entire month has already passed since we rang in the New Year.

Tuesday is Groundhog Day, pretty much the only day that I hope the sun doesn’t shine. The Weather Channel app on my phone is showing a big yellow sun for Tuesday, so I’m thinking the local groundhogs are going to make a quick retreat. But since Tuesday’s predicted temperature is also 49°F, and if the winter continues the way it has, I won’t mind six more weeks of it.

Has anyone noticed that since the beginning of the year we are including quotes in our newsletters? We hope they provide a bit of inspiration for your day! If I had to add my own words of wisdom for today it would be these: “Freedom of speech and expression is a great thing, but exercising that freedom may have consequences.” Read the article I wrote on Saturday about the Hall and Conard student fan clubs to understand the relevance.

If you have tips about businesses opening or closing, or doing something worth sharing, please provide that information in the comments or email Ronni Newton at [email protected].

Here’s this week’s Buzz:

The water rower is one of the state-of-the-art pieces of equipment used in an Orangetheory workout. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• In his State of the Town address last Thursday (the part before he dropped the bombshell that he will be resigning), West Hartford Mayor Scott Slifka said he gets heart palpitations every Monday morning as he opens the Business Buzz column because he feels somewhat responsible when there’s bad news. I told him that I always try to start with the good news, and will be sure to do that today! A new fitness studio will open in Bishops Corner this spring. Orangetheory plans to offer 55 classes per week in its studio at 345 North Main St., in the 3,000 square foot now-vacant space between Qdoba and the AT&T store. Orangetheory currently has a pop-up storefront in the space next to Subway (fronting Albany Avenue) where they are signing up clients with some special pre-opening deals. Studio Manager Nate Gibson said that Orangetheory provides “the best one-hour workout in the country.” The one-hour workout, which changes every day (yes, 365 different workouts are created every year) and is designed to burn between 500 and 1,000 calories, includes training in five different heart rate zones which are projected on a screen so you can keep track. The workouts are monitored by professionals to ensure that clients get the most out of their training, Gibson said. Workouts incorporate a water rower, state-of-the-art treadmills, Keiser bikes and striders, and free weights. Click here for more information about Orangetheory. You can also follow their West Hartford studio Facebook page.
  

  Steel beams will soon rise from the construction site of the Delamar West Hartford hotel. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
• It hasn’t been obvious that much progress has been made on the Delamar West Hartford hotel, so I touched base with Becca Brockway at McDowell Jewett Communications late last week for an update. She said that in about 10 days the steel will start being erected and there will be very visible and exciting changes at the site. The target date for the opening is about 12 months away, on track with the projection which was sometime between December 2016 and July 2017.
• ICYMI: West Hartford resident Mark Moon has taken over his parents’ restaurant, Seoul BBQ & Sushi, located just outside of West Hartford at 593 Hartford Rd. in what’s technically New Britain but is just down the street from Westfarms. Although the storefront may be a bit nondescript, the restaurant provides a fun and unique (and delicious) authentic Korean barbecue experience.
  

  South Quaker Lane parking lot entrance. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
• Not sure what caused this, but there’s a bit of a parking lot conflict going on between Hall’s Market and Park Lane Pizza on Park Road, and Hall’s shoppers are prohibited from using the South Quaker Lane parking area. These signs (see photo) went up on Tuesday. Let’s hope this is peacefully resolved.
• We saved the bad news for last … Sunday was the last day in business for Lindy’s Laundromat at 612 South Quaker Lane. The laundromat boasted the largest washers in the area and a favorite spot for comforter washing. If you know of any good alternatives, please post them in the comment section.
  

  Sunday was the last day of business for Lindy’s Laundromat on South Quaker Lane. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
• Also announced this week, Labrazel Home will close its West Hartford Center store at the end of April. The business will continue to operate online and as a wholesaler. Click here for the details.
• Congratulations to West Hartford native Rebecca Bowman who was named chair of the LPGA’s board of directors last week.
• Finally, if you want a chance to score some really cool holiday decorations, the Pond House is planning a makeover for next year’s holiday season and is selling off its current stock this Wednesday. Click here for details.

Remember, if you have any business news to share, remember to add it in the comments section below or email Ronni Newton at [email protected].

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