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

By Ronni Newton

It’s officially fall, it’s almost October, and I have finally removed the lighthouse flag  hanging outside my house and replaced it with a pumpkin flag. Apologies in advance to the “haters,” but I even bought pumpkin spice coffee today.

The feature story in today’s Business Buzz may not be the complete story, but I felt I had enough information to include it. It’s tough when I hear about something interesting over the weekend when not everyone is available to answer all of the questions. Look for more to come – if there is more of a story.

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:

Cuvee will apparently soon change its name to ‘Tipsy Girl.’ Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Cuvée in Blue Back Square has a new managing partner, Peter Guimaraes, who also happens to have a recurring role on Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of New York City.” An employee at Cuvée in West Hartford confirmed that Guimaraes, who has previously been a partner in several New York City restuarants, became involved with Cuvée several weeks ago. A rumor – that could not be confirmed before publication – is that Guimaraes is now owner of Cuvée, which is located on property at 37 Raymond Rd. that is actually owned by the American Legion Hayes-Velhage Post 96, not by Blue Back Square owner Starwood. Post Commander Moe Fradette said Sunday night that the lease is still in the name of Cuvée and to the best of his knowledge the business has not been sold. It does appear, based on confirmation from several sources, that Cuvée’s name will soon be changing – to Tipsy Girl. That’s the same name as a Hell’s Kitchen restaurant that Guimaraes will be launching this October with another business partner. We could neither confirm or deny the rumor that Tipsy Girl plans to employ scantily clad female dancers, but the establishment “has to operate as a restaurant in accordance with zoning,” Director of Community Services Mark McGovern said. “I’m certainly concerned,” McGovern added.
• In other restaurant news, there’s a lot of excitement surrounding the announcement that the Prospect Café is now open for business on the corner of Prospect and Park Road. Brothers Paul and Jeff Emery opened for a fundraiser in support of the CT Brain Tumor Alliance on Friday evening, and Monday is their official grand opening. Click here for details about the return of a West Hartford icon with an updated interior and an “eclectic scratch kitchen” menu.
  

  Crystal Restoration opened its 635 New Park Ave.,, West Hartford location with an open house last week. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
• Crystal Restoration Services opened a new West Hartford location at 635 New Park Ave. and held an open house last week. According to its website, Crystal Restoration Services responds to “disaster” that strikes a home or business “quickly, expertly, completely – with the least possible disruption to home or business. It’s the kind of challenge that Crystal Restoration Services has been responding to successfully for more than 40 years.” Click here to contact the company or for more information.
• Happy Anniversary to Effie’s Place, celebrating its 25th anniversary this October! The family restaurant at 91 Park Rd. has some great specials in honor of reaching the quarter-century mark. There’s a four-course prix fixe dinner menu, which for $25 includes a choice of spanikopita or mushroom caps as an appetizer; Greek salad; entree choices of lamb chops, roast pork loin, 1/2 roasted chicken with lemon and oregano, or spinach and feta-stuffed flounder, all served with roasted potatoes and vegetables; and Greek sample plate for dessert. Breakfast and lunch specials offer some serious rollback prices and are available on Oct. 13-16. Menu items with rollback prices include $.25 coffee and for $2.50 a choice of two eggs any style with toast, shortstack pancakes, or a breakfast sandwich on an English muffin. There are also $5.00 sandwich specials – including liverwurst.
• One last restaurant item, and it combines beer and baked goods: Hartford Baking Company is planning a “beer event” in collaboration with Back East Brewing. the event will be held on Oct. 14, from 6 – 9 p.m., and according to Hartford Baking Company’s Facebook page, will include “three hours of beer sampling from Back East Brewery, including a limited edition Octoberfest beer. The Hartford Baking Company will provide tasty treats, including porter beer bread and savory snacks, and Nora Cupcakes will feature a mini cupcake made with a Back East brew. Tickets will be $35 and available for purchase next week at either Back East Brewing or the Hartford Baking Company!” Hartford Baking Company is also holding a contest on its Facebook page to name the event. They say the winner will be announced on Sept. 28, so if you have any great ideas, add them this morning! Click here for details.
• Congratulations to Joseph Kask, names last week as the new managing partner of West Hartford-based BlumShapiro. Click here to read more about Kask in a profile published in Accounting Today.

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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