The We-Ha Pop-Up Store, which closes for the season on Friday, Dec. 23, celebrated all day on Thursday with a ribbon cutting, a whale, and a coffee book!
Ribbon cutting at the We-Ha Pop-Up is presided over by the Vineyard Vines whale mascot. Also present is Mayor Shari Cantor, representatives of We-Ha.com, WH Media, West Hartford Magazine, Eat In Connecticut the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce, Blue Back Square, The Bridge Family Center, and the Ron Foley Foundation.
By Joy Taylor
The Vineyard Vines whale mascot made his (or her) first appearance in West Hartford to help celebrate the opening of the We-Ha Pop-Up store in Blue Back Square.
“This temporary store will be open for just one more day before we close our doors at 9 p.m. on Friday,” said store co-coordinator and West Hartford Magazine Publisher Tom Hickey.
On Thursday the Pop-Up had a ceremonial ribbon cutting event featuring the whale mascot from Vineyard Vines. The whale was escorted by Lizzy Monaghan, senior account Executive for the Custom and Corporate Sales.
Monaghan explained that the whale icon was conceived by Vineyard Vines founders – brothers Ian and Shep Murray – in honor of their father who carved whales out of wood when the family visited Martha’s Vineyard long before Vineyard Vines was started in 1998.
BODYROC’s Shaun Chambers was on hand to discuss his custom designed and “innovative workout that ‘shocks’ the body in the most efficient and effective way to improve your cardiovascular system, lose weight and build muscle.” Shaun Chambers is the mastermind behind the BODYROC™ brand.
The fun continued on Thursday night with a celebration of the the no. 1 Scratch ‘n Sniff book about coffee, “Aromas in Coffee,” which features 16 flavor profiles. The book is available at the Pop-Up.
Store hours on Friday, Dec. 23 are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The We-Ha Pop-Up is located on the corner of Memorial Road and Isham Road (diagonally across from Crate and Barrel).
West Hartford Magazine Publisher Tom Hickey and NBC Connecticut Account Manager Anthony J. Wiggins with the Vineyard Vines Whale Mascot at the We-Ha Pop-Up Store in Blue Back Square. Tom is holding a champagne gift from NBC. Photo credit: Joy Taylor
Tom Hickey and Joy Taylor of West Hartford Magazine with the Vineyard Vines Whale Mascot at the We-Ha Pop-Up Store in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The Vineyard Vines Whale Mascot at the We-Ha Pop-Up Store in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Joy Taylor
West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Barbara Lerner with the Vineyard Vines Whale Mascot at the We-Ha Pop-Up Store in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Joy Taylor
Director of Marketing & Communications at Bridge Family Center Amanda Aronson with the Vineyard Vines Whale Mascot at the We-Ha Pop-Up Store in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Joy Taylor
Daniel Lemieux and Dylan Carneiro take a break from working at the We-Ha Pop-Up store to pose with the Vineyard Vines Whale Mascot. Photo credit: Joy Taylor
The Vineyard Vines Whale Mascot with “Santa” (Mark Murphy) at the We-Ha Pop-Up Store in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Joy Taylor
Doctors Glen Rapoport and David Epstein enjoy food by Tangiers at the We-Ha Pop-Up Store to celebrate the unique coffee lovers book by David’s son Joseph Epstein. Photo credit: Joy Taylor
The Epstein family video-chatted with their son and author Joseph Epstein at the We-Hap Pop-Up Store. Joseph’s book “Aromas in Coffee” is available at the store. Photo credit: Joy Taylor
Gary Riccini, owner and brewer of Nitro Cold Brew Coffee, at the We-Ha Pop-Up Store. Photo credit: Joy Taylor
