The sales and use tax permit for The Place 2 Be at 50 Memorial Road in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square has been revoked by the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services.

By Ronni Newton

The door to The Place 2 Be in Blue Back Square has remained locked all week, the interior dark – and this time the trendy all-day brunch spot that opened in West Hartford in 2021 appears to be shut down for good.

Multiple red and white signs were posted in the windows, indicating that as of 12:30 p.m. on March 23, 2026, the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services had revoked the business’ sales and use tax permit – indicating that they are not allowed to transact business under state law.

Signs on the windows of The Place 2 Be in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square indicate that the sales and use tax permit was revoked on March 23, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

“West Hartford location does not have a valid sales tax permit,” a spokesperson for DRS confirmed to We-Ha.com on Thursday.

According to a March 26 report in the Hartford Courant, the other two remaining locations of The Place 2 Be – New Haven and Constitution Plaza in Hartford – have also had their sales and use tax permits revoked.

In August 2025, The Place 2 Be had the sales and use tax permit for the West Hartford location suspended, but the suspension was lifted and the restaurant reopened later in the month.

Statute spells out a process for applying for a new permit following a revocation: “The commissioner shall not issue a new permit after the revocation of a permit unless the commissioner is satisfied that the former holder of the permit will comply with the provisions of this chapter relating to the sales tax and the regulations of the commissioner.”

But the clock was already ticking for owner Gina Luari and the West Hartford restaurant – which was already required to close for good next week.

The Place 2 Be at 50 Memorial Road in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square is closed, and their sales and use tax has been revoked. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Since late 2024, the business has been embroiled in litigation with its West Hartford landlord, Blue Back Capital Partners LLC, regarding payment of rent. Both parties agreed on Aug. 4, 2025, through mediation, to a Final Stay of Execution through March 31, 2026, provided on-time payment of an agreed-to sum for use and occupancy of the premises was made via wire transfer. The agreement states that if payments are not made as specified, the landlord is permitted to file an affidavit “requesting an execution without additional court hearings.” There have been several instances since then when Blue Back has filed an “Affidavit of Non-Compliance with Stipulated Judgement” with the court due to rent not being paid in accordance with the agreement, but those have been resolved and the restaurant remained in business – until now.

A second lawsuit filed by Blue Back Capital Partners LLC alleges breach of lease terms, and a hearing on that case is currently scheduled for June 3, 2026.

Through the parent company The Statement Group, which at the time controlled multiple brands, owner and CEO Gina Luari also planned to open another establishment in Blue Back Square, The Bakery by TP2B, in the former SPoT Coffee space at 69 Memorial Road. The Bakery lease was signed in 2023, but the business never opened. The Bakery was officially evicted from Blue Back Square last fall, and signage was removed.

The Bakery by TP2B was supposed to open at 69 Memorial Road, but was ultimately evicted without ever opening. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

In addition to the legal problems plaguing her businesses, Luari also faces felony charges in connection with issuing a bad check to a restaurant supply company. According to online court records, a trial date is in the process of being scheduled.

In December 2025, Luari launched a new Instagram account, “Building BACK the brand,” indicating that she planned to document “the rebuild one shift at a time” in Hartford, West Hartford, and New Haven – which until now were the three locations where she still had operating restaurants. The most recent posts to that account were scenes from St. Patrick’s Day in New Haven.

We-Ha.com reached out to Luari via text on Thursday requesting comment on the revocation of the sales and use tax permit, but she did not respond.

Blue Back Square did not offer a comment regarding the closing of The Place 2 Be, but the restaurant is no longer listed on their directory.

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