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West Hartford Business Buzz: July 25, 2016

Cellular Sales, an authorized Verizon retailer, will be moving into the former Sleepy's space on Farmington Ave. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

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

By Ronni Newton

Hot enough for you? I complain about the cold in the winter, so I am not going to complain about the heat.

I do want to share something I discovered over the weekend while my husband and I worked on the scrapbook we are making for our son in honor of his high school graduation. (Yes, we’re a bit late, but we will have it done before he leaves for college next month.) In anticipation of this project (a Newton family tradition), over the years we have stashed important things in Sam’s “memento bag” – tickets from special events, cards and notes from preschool and elementary school friends, early drawings, newspaper clippings with his name circled, etc.

Hartford Courant page B1, May 1, 1998.

Hartford Courant page B1, May 1, 1998.

We also kept the Hartford Courant from the day Sam was born – May 1, 1998. I found it interesting that Hillary Clinton’s photo was on the front page that day. She was first lady at the time, and was in the state at a fundraiser supporting Barbara Kennelly’s campaign against John Rowland.

But even more fascinating to me was an article found above the fold on page B1, the “Town News” section. “Shopping Area Wears New Look” was all about the many changes taking place in West Hartford Center. Longtime West Hartford Center women’s retailer Lucy Batzell had just announced plans to close after 55 years. According to the article, Hilliard Candy Store and The Kennel Shop had also recently closed after decades in business. LCR had just announced plans to move into the former Hilliard space – the same storefront that LCR just vacated earlier this summer and that will soon be the home of BK&Co.

Hartford Courant. May 1 1998

Hartford Courant. May 1 1998

I took a photo of both pages of the article, and it appears at right and below.

This week’s column is completely positive, but as you read Business Buzz this week and every week, this article from 1998 provides some good perspective. I said this in my May 2 column (when I was feeling very sentimental after Sam’s 18th birthday and with graduation looming): “What I don’t think has changed about West Hartford is its essential character. Stores and restaurants come and go. Schools get new principals. Buildings get renovated. Yet I think this is such a great town – a fascinating combination of a large and diverse community that is at the same time very much a small town. It’s a place where the fabric of everyone’s lives is intertwined, and I think most of us like it that way.”

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].

Summer has definitely not slowed things down in West Hartford! Here’s this week’s Buzz:

Cellular Sales, an authorized Verizon retailer, will be moving into the former Sleepy's space on Farmington Ave. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Cellular Sales, an authorized Verizon retailer, will be moving into the former Sleepy’s space at 921 Farmington Ave. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

  • Verizon retailer Cellular Sales is taking over the just-vacated Sleepy’s space at 921 Farmington Ave., building owner Abe Kaoud said. He expects the store to open in the next 45 days. Tennessee-based Cellular Sales has more than 600 stores, and is one of the largest Verizon authorized retailers in the country. Sleepy’s, which was purchased earlier this year by Mattress Firm, still has a location at 8 Sims Rd. in Bishops Corner.
  • The former Peck ‘n Pour/Brownstone Café building at 14-16 Oakwood Ave. has been purchased through foreclosure sale by West Hartford resident Gary Dinowitz, who also owns the building that houses Prospect Café. Dinowitz said the space is currently undergoing renovation and a new restaurant will open in a few months. Although Dinowitz is not yet authorized to provide the name of the restaurant or other details quite yet, he’s very excited about the plans. “It’s going to work. The food will be excellent. People will know the chef,” he said. I’ll provide details as soon as I can.
    The name has not yet been revealed, but a lease has been signed and a new restaurant will be opening in the former South Main Pizza space at 135 South Main St. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

    The name has not yet been revealed, but a lease has been signed and a new restaurant will be opening in the former South Main Pizza space at 135 South Main St. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

  • More exciting news – with details to come – about another vacant restaurant space! A lease has been signed for the former South Main Pizza space at 135 South Main St. The name of the new tenant has not been released, but according to commercial real estate broker Alexis Augsberger of CRBE New England, “It will be a restaurant concept that will complement other West Hartford restaurants.” The only other information he was authorized to provide at this time was that the owners are “seasoned restaurateurs.” South Main Pizza closed on June 28, 2015.
  • Last week we provided an update on the opening of Cook and the Bear in Blue Back Square, and this week I touched base with the owner of its soon-to-be next door neighbor, Thali. Owner Chef Prasad Chirnomula said work is going ahead full force and he expects the restaurant to be open in late September or early October.
  • Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming is now open in Blue Back Square! The description of the business in the Blue Back Square directory reads: Woof Gang Bakery is the leader in raw frozen diets, kibble, canned and dehydrated dog and cat food. Our stores are committed to providing outstanding service and quality products to the local community.We are passionate about providing proper nutrition for your dog and cat. We believe that the best nutrition comes from healthy, natural ingredients. As well as carrying dog and cat food products, Woof Gang Bakery also carries unique, fashionable doggie items, a variety of fun, fuzzy and tough toys, as well as fashionable accessories, collars and leads, and a wide range of doggie spa products.”
  • The new Cumberland Farms store and gas station at 471 New Park Ave., just across the street from the Flatbush Avenue CTFastrak station, is also now open. It looks like gas is very reasonably priced, as is coffee at 99 cents for any size. According to information provided by a reader, Cumberland Farms plans to renovate its other West Hartford location at 141 Park Rd.
    Lifer Fitness will offer free cycling classes in Blue Back Square on July 30. Submitted photo

    Lifer Fitness will offer free cycling classes in Blue Back Square on July 30. Submitted photo

  • Lifer Fitness has just celebrated its first anniversary, and will be hosting free classes in Blue Back Square on Saturday, July 30, from 10 a.m. until noon. “Join LIFER Fitness Studio for their second annual, free cycle classes in Blue Back Square. Ride for 50 minutes on the ‘Keiser M3i series’ cycle bikes as you workout with LIFER instructors.  Enjoy giveaways and a live DJ! Bike reservations required. Spectators welcome,” Lifer Fitness announced in a press release. To sign up and reserve a bike you can: register at the studio (20 Jefferson Ave., Unit 6), online at www.liferitswhatwedo.com/class-schedule, email [email protected], or call 860-206-0780.
  • The Green Teahouse was profiled last week on InnovationHartford.com. The Green Teahouse provides an immersion in Chinese culture and is much more than just a place to stop for a cup of tea. Read all about it here.
  • The spa at Bluemercury in West Hartford Center is now open seven days a week, manager Lauren Orozco said. Massage therapy is available on Sundays and Mondays, and Bluemercury also offers facials, microdermabrasion, peels, and full body waxing. Dry hair styling, and hair styling lessons, are available by appointment. Call 860-231-9099 for details.
    JC Penney appliance department ribbon-cutting. Courtesy photo

    JC Penney appliance department ribbon-cutting. Courtesy photo

  • Mayor Shari Cantor cut the ribbon Friday for the new appliance department at JC Penney at Westfarms –  a new addition for the Westfarms anchor. Cantor said that only 40 of JC Penney’s 1,500 stores are carrying appliances, and the Westfarms location is one of just five in the northeast.
  • Do you have your tickets to Taste of Blue Back Square and The Center? There are a few left, and this is definitely looking to be an event that you don’t want to miss. Registration will take place in the courtyard outside Barnes & Noble, and that’s where you get your admission bracelet which will provide access to food samples and special deals from area retailer. Click here to purchase tickets.
  • Here’s your reminder to vote for Best of West Hartford from among the more than 275 finalists selected in nearly 50 categories – all determined by nominations from the community. The winners which will be honored at a gala awards show on Sept. 8. A list of all of the finalists and the link to voting can be found by clicking here. Some area businesses are doing a great job making their customers aware of the competition, so don’t forget to support your own favorites. Voting is easy, and you can even do it from your phone while sitting on a sunny beach somewhere!

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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Hartford Courant page B1, May 1, 1998.

Hartford Courant page B1, May 1, 1998.

Hartford Courant. May 1 1998

Hartford Courant. May 1 1998

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1 Comment

  • Thanks for the updates, as always. Any chance you could try and get more information about the Hartford Baking Company’s new Farmington Ave location? It was originally supposed to open in May but I’ve seen zero progress on the building in the last few months. Thanks!

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