Gov. Ned Lamont has been urging residents to ‘shop local,’ and Wednesday morning did some Christmas shopping of his own in West Hartford Center.

Cookshop Plus co-owner Terry Ryan (right) wraps a gift purchased by Gov. Ned Lamont, who was accompanied on a shopping excursion in West Hartford Center Wednesday by Mayor Shari Cantor (left). Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

Following his own advice, Gov. Ned Lamont spent his money in the local community, joining West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor Wednesday morning for a shopping trip to several local businesses.

During a press conference several days ago, the governor admitted that he’s a last minute shopper, and not a very good shopper either, often getting teased by his family members. He asked for some suggestions, and people responded with hundreds of recommendations of local businesses throughout the state.

Cantor was quick to promote West Hartford as the best place to shop local – and Lamont joined her for a quick excursion in the Center prior to his noon press briefing.

The governor did more than just browse as he and Cantor walked along LaSalle Road, purchasing gifts for family members at Lux Bond & Green, Cookshop Plus, and SockStarz and getting some good advice from Cantor. She even knew that Lamont’s wife would favor gold jewelry rather than silver, and when he called Annie to double check while in Lux Bond, she confirmed.

Gov. Ned Lamont gets some advice about jewelry for his wife and daughter from Mayor Shari Cantor on a visit to Lux Bond & Green in West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

“This place is great,” he said while choosing some gifts at SockStarz, a social enterprise business of Harc that has quite the assortment of amusing messages on socks, as well as pairs supporting a variety of causes and celebrating public figures like Dr. Fauci, RBG, and President-elect Joe Biden.

Gov. Ned Lamont and West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor shop at SockStarz on LaSalle Road in West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

The governor’s purchases must remain secret for now so as not to spoil the Christmas surprise.

At his noon press briefing, Lamont mentioned his shopping trip and plans to visit stores elsewhere in the state later in the day, reiterating his message about supporting small and local businesses.

“Time to shop local,” he said during the briefing. “I said I’m a pretty lousy shopper. Hundreds of you gave me pretty good advice on where to go. … I’m shopping local, I want you to shop local.”

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Norma Green (right) provides some gift buying advice to Gov. Ned Lamont, who shopped at several West Hartford Center stores, including Lux Bond & Green, with Mayor Shari Cantor. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Lux Bond & Green President and CEO John Green (center) chats with Mayor Shari Cantor and Gov. Ned Lamont Wednesday morning while the governor was doing some local shopping. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

From left: Mayor Shari Cantor and Gov. Ned Lamont with Lux Bond & Green owners John Green and Norma Green. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Gov. Ned Lamont and West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor shop at SockStarz on LaSalle Road in West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Gov. Ned Lamont and West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor shop at SockStarz on LaSalle Road in West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton