West Hartford Business Buzz: February 29, 2016

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

Scarlett will need to change out of her red fleece bandana as of March 1, when meteorological winter officially ends. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

Happy Leap Day!

In my house, the last day of February means that winter is over – at least meteorological winter. We have to wait an extra day for it because this is a leap year, but March is a a spring month in my opinion, and on March 1 any remaining snowman decorations are banished from my house. I even change my dog’s bandana from the red fleece one to the lavender one with the bunnies on it. (Please don’t judge.)

It looks like March is going to come in like a lamb, and I hope that doesn’t mean winter will come back to bite us at the end of the month.

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 Salvation Army has opened a donation center in Crossroads Plaza in Bishops Corner. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Thanks to the alert readers who notified me about the opening of the Salvation Army Donation Center in Bishops Corner. It opened just over a week ago, and according to Kim, the manager on duty Sunday afternoon, “Everything is going really well and people are really happy about us being here.” Right now the facility is intended to be temporary, and is open only three days a week and is only for drop-offs, but Kim said that it’s possible, if things continue to go well, that the services may be expanded to include more days and a store as well. The Salvation Army Donation Center is located in Crossroads Plaza, right next to the Judaica Store on the back side of Big Y. Hours are currently Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and Monday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. For pick-ups of large donation items, call 1-800-SA-TRUCK or visit SATRUCK.org.
Omaha Steaks will open in mid-March at 13 South Main St. in West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Abe Kaoud, owner of Kaoud Oriental Rugs and the building that houses the store, provided an update about the opening of Omaha Steaks. “It’s now official that Omaha Steaks will be opening in the middle of March,” he said. The lease was signed in December, and contractors have been working furiously (even on Sunday afternoon) to complete the build-out for Omaha Steaks’ second Connecticut location. Omaha Steaks will be in the former Salon Medusa space, at 13 South Main St., right next to Sweet Frog. Look for the complete story in the next week!

Congratulations to West Hartford resident Bruce Kelley, whose appointment as chief content officer for Reader’s Digest was announced this week. According to a news release, Kelly was most recently editor-in-chief of Prevention and Prevention.com, and has previously held senior editorial roles at ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com, San Francisco magazine, and Health magazine. “Bruce’s strong experience in leading a content team using a digital-first approach is paramount to building the roadmap for the future of Reader’s Digest. His proven track record, background and leadership will help integrate more digital content into the brand in today’s ever-changing landscape,” said Reader’s Digest President and CEO Bonnie Kintzer in the release.
The finished product, poured from a stainless steel cup into an old-fashioned milkshake soda glass, is worth every calorie. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
ICYMI, A.C. Petersen Farms learned last week that its milkshake was named “Best in Connecticut” in an article published on MSN. My son and I sampled a milkshake, and wholeheartedly gave it a “fabulous” rating. And We-Ha.com Creative Director Joy Taylor says, “I really want a milkshake right now!” every time she sees this photo. Click here for the complete story, including the milkshake ingredients!

Also ICYMI, West Hartford resident and co-owner of The Paper Station Leon Davidoff talks about why letter writing isn’t, and shouldn’t be, a lost art. Click here for the details.
The inaugural “Taste of Bishops Corner“ is coming and there are – believe it or not – 22 food and beverage providers in Bishops Corner that have been invited to participate. We’ll provide the full list later this week. The official “Taste of” event is scheduled for Thursday, March 31, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., at Mercy Community Health Auditorium, on the corner of Albany Avenue and Steele Road and is sponsored by Simon Konover Company and Anytime Fitness. Ticket sales will begin today, on We-Ha.com. Click here to purchase tickets for $25 in advance. (If any tickets remain, they will be $30 at the door.) Taste of Bishops Corner is also a fundraiser that benefits the Bishops Corner Neighborhood Association, and is sponsored in part by West Hartford Magazine, We-Ha.com, Taylor Rental Party Plus, Merchant Solutions, CTfastrak and the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce.
Matthew Bintz. Submitted photo

Congratulations to West Hartford resident Matthew Bintz, design discipline manager, Compression Systems, who was one of five engineers honored by Pratt & Whitney and the Hartford chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) as Distinguished Engineers of the Year during National Engineers Week, during the week of Feb. 22. According to a news release, ASME issues these awards annually to recognize and promote excellence in the field of engineering. Pratt & Whitney is a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX). “This year’s honorees truly represent the innovative engineering that powers Pratt & Whitney,” said Tom Prete, vice president, Engineering, Pratt & Whitney in the release. “These five engineers deserve to be recognized for their invaluable impact on our company and the engineering field.” According to the release, Bintz was honored for the work he did on Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower Geared Turbofan engine to revolutionize the commercial aviation industry.