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

Business Buzz is sponsored by NBT Bank, and we are very thankful for their support!

By Ronni Newton

Happy springtime! It looks like a fabulous weather week ahead for West Hartford, and those who are in town for spring break week will hopefully have the opportunity to spend lots of time outside.

We headed out of town on Friday morning for a quick weekend trip to Nantucket to see Ted’s mom – whom we had not seen since January. It’s still rather chilly at this time of year, but it was bright and sunny and great for beach walks and runs – and Millie appreciated a chance to chase seagulls on the beach! I’m looking forward to being back home this week, however, to enjoy our new patio that built last week by Elezi’s Masonry. He finished it Friday after we had left so I don’t have my “after” photos to share yet.

Millie in her happy place. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

There were several West Hartford business openings last week – covered in the column’s bullet points – but a few food photos immediately below were from the take-out dinner Ted and I enjoyed from Mozz & Co (these are just half sandwiches, but I could barely finish even a half although I did because it was so delicious) and my coffee from La Pausa, as well as our Saturday morning post-run breakfast treats from the Nantucket Bake Shop and dinner Saturday night at Island Kitchen om Nantucket.

Cotoletta Classico. Mozz & Co is now open at 22 Raymond Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Classico Italiano on foccacia. Mozz & Co is now open at 22 Raymond Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Limoncello Tiramisu. Mozz & Co is now open at 22 Raymond Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

La Pausa is now open inside GastroPark. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Blueberry cake doughnuts from the Nantucket Bake Shop. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Glass of rose at Island Kitchen, Nantucket. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Calamari at Island Kitchen, Nantucket. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Korean Ahi Tuna Package at Island Kitchen, Nantucket. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Braised Short Rib at Island Kitchen, Nantucket. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

No trolls this week! Thank you to all who do comment with your full names, and avoid making personal attacks! Please note that it has been our policy for several years that full names be used when commenting directly on the site – with the exception of those commenters who were grandfathered when they commented prior to the policy being updated. Please comply or your comment will not be published.

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If you have information to share about local businesses, please provide details in the comments or email Ronni Newton at [email protected].

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Here’s this week’s Buzz:

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Angel Land had a preview opening last Monday afternoon – attended by more than 400 people and very successful, according to owner Tom Kwok – who then decided to officially open to the public on Tuesday! I attended a semi-private sneak peek on Monday prior to the preview, and it was great to have my daughter and very active grandkids (ages 15 months and 2¾) check out the new indoor playground, located at 1433 New Britain Avenue, in the lower level of The Corbin Collection next to World Market. All four of us had so much fun, and we tested out pretty much every area other than the baby space – because our extremely busy toddler girl, who was a very early walker, was ready to navigate the entire place and even loved the bumper cars. The indoor play space “focuses on clean, safe, and engaging play through sensory elements, soft structures, and intentional design details that encourage imagination and development,” the website states. It’s a huge space, more than 19,000 square feet, with a variety of types activities to appeal to different abilities and personalities including soft play climbing structures, slides and obstacle courses, ball pits, a “sand” area (the material is plastic, not sand), sensory-friendly areas for toddlers, and imagination play zones – plus the bumper cars. There are also two private party rooms for birthday parties and other events. The target age range for Angel Land is 0-10, although older kids (and adults!) would enjoy it, too. Socks are required – and they sell grippy socks, too. Angel Land is now open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and will likely have a grand opening celebration by the end of the month. The cost is $17.99 per child during the week, and $19.99 per child on weekends, with two adults free per child. Monthly passes are also available, with an opening offer of buy-one-get-one-month-free. Follow on Instagram (@angelland_wh) for updates. Some photos are directly below, and more are at the very end of the column.

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Mozz & Co opened on Wednesday at 22 Raymond Road, and it was such an immediate hit that I waited until the second day to actually sample the food because the line was out the door on day one! Congratulations to owner (and West Hartford resident) Joey Cusano on knocking it out of the park with mouth-watering authentic Italian deli sandwiches – as well as salads and desserts. Ted and I sampled a few sandwiches on Thursday, and below are photos of the inside and outside of the space, as well as other people’s sandwiches. I will definitely be working my way through the menu in the coming weeks! Hours are currently Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A grand opening and ribbon cutting is scheduled for April 28 at 1 p.m., and more information including the full menu can be found on the website. You can also read more about Mozz & Co in this feature story.

Mozz & Co is now open at 22 Raymond Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Mozz & Co is now open at 22 Raymond Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Owner Joey Cusano. Mozz & Co is now open at 22 Raymond Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Mozz & Co is now open at 22 Raymond Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Mozz & Co is now open at 22 Raymond Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Mozz & Co is now open at 22 Raymond Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Mozz & Co is now open at 22 Raymond Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Mozz & Co is now open at 22 Raymond Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Mozz & Co is now open at 22 Raymond Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Owner Joey Cusano. Mozz & Co is now open at 22 Raymond Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Frisbie’s Dairy Barn is now in soft opening mode in Blue Back Square! They are still updating the decor of the former Kilwin’s space at 38 Isham Road, and still hiring staff, but if the door is open there is ice cream to be had. They will be doing pop-up openings from 1 to 10 p.m. for the next few weeks, with plans for an official full opening by late April or early May, owner Paul Parks told me when I stopped by last week.

Frisbie’s Dairy Barn is in soft opening mode in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Frisbie’s Dairy Barn is in soft opening mode in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Frisbie’s Dairy Barn is in soft opening mode in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Frisbie’s Dairy Barn is in soft opening mode in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• La Pausa opened Wednesday at GastroPark! Taki Tanaka took over the coffee program at GastroPark that was previously run by Alvarium, and has partnered with Macy Reese, his former coworker at J.René Coffee Roasters, who is responsible for the tea/non-coffee side of the business. They are featuring Taki’s favorite espresso blend from J.René/Victus, as well as other excellent coffees from their favorite local and far away roasters, top quality teas, and are very excited to be part of the GastroPark family.

La Pausa is now open inside GastroPark. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

La Pausa is now open inside GastroPark. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Taki Tanaka (right) and Macy Reese, partners at La Pausa which is now open inside GastroPark. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• There are lots of Westfarms updates – and the photos below (thank you to Amanda Sirica!) mostly speak for themselves. I’ll cover the new Barnes & Noble when it opens, and note that while it is a relocation of the standalone store that was previously down the road in Farmington (it’s becoming the Goldfish Swim School, Michael’s Jewelers, and some other businesses) – the Westfarms location is technically on the West Hartford side of the shopping center, meaning that we will have two Barnes & Noble stores in town. Other updates pictured below include China Wok, the North Face, Pandora, Häagen-Dazs, Pop Mart, and Foot Locker!

Barnes & Noble will be opening in the former Forever 21 (that was temporarily Kilim) space at Westfarms, on the lower level near Macy’s. Courtesy photo

China Wok opened in March on the lower level of Westfarms, California Pizza Kitchen wing. Courtesy photo

North Face is relocating to the former Cotton On space on the upper level. Courtesy photo

Pandora (lower level, center court) expanding across the hall. Courtesy photo

Häagen-Dazs is opening soon at Westfarms on the lower level at Center Court. Courtesy photo

Pop Mart is opening soon in the former Cotton On Kids space on the lower level near Center Court. Courtesy photo

Footlocker at Westfarms is currently being renovated and will reopen soon. Courtesy photo

• Vivid Hue Home has closed their Farmington location in anticipation of the move to West Hartford, where they will be sharing space with Sanditz Travel at 945 Farmington Avenue, and where a sign is already displayed. Owner Heather Moore Grahling shared on social media that the planned West Hartford opening is May 7! Look for more to come as that date nears!

Vivid Hue is opening inside Sanditz Travel at 945 Farmington Avenue. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Vivid Hue is opening inside Sanditz Travel at 945 Farmington Avenue. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• The inaugural Blue Back Bar Crawl will be held on Thursday, April 30 from to 8 p.m. in Blue Back Square. Guests must be at least 21 years old and must pre-register with a donation of at least $10 – which will benefit Blood Cancer United. They then receive a wristband and can enjoy a fun bar crawl at their favorite Blue Back spots – including Boqueria, Coracora, Fleming’s, and World of Beer. Music and other surprises will be included as part of the event. Click here for more information including the link to register.

Courtesy image

• Congratulations to West Hartford resident Dr. Jon Lis and his partners on the official grand opening on April 8 of Active Health in the Exchange – just over the line in Farmington.  The membership-based primary care practice offers a full gym, personal training, a sauna and pool plunge, and other services in addition to seeing patients for medical needs. At the grand opening, Active Health partnered for fundraising with West Hartford-based nonprofits the Ron Foley Foundation and Friends of Feeney, and the reception was catered by Le Mazet. The ribbon cutting was a joint partnership between the Central CT and West Hartford chambers of commerce.

Active Health, located in The Exchange, had a grand opening on April 8, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Active Health, located in The Exchange, had a grand opening on April 8, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Active Health, located in The Exchange, had a grand opening on April 8, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Active Health, located in The Exchange, had a grand opening on April 8, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Active Health, located in The Exchange, had a grand opening on April 8, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Active Health, located in The Exchange, had a grand opening on April 8, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Active Health, located in The Exchange, had a grand opening on April 8, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Construction continues to move along with much more visible progress each week at the new Animal Control facility on Brixton Street now that the walls are rising from the foundation. Also in that area, the former Cunningham Supply building at the corner of Oakwood and Brixton is set to be demolished soon. Construction is getting going on The Jayden (579 New Park Avenue) now as well. According to the town’s contractor, this week’s work on the Center Infrastructure Master Plan on Farmington Avenue will include road coring, installation of new concrete sidewalk at 1000 Farmington Avenue, work on soil cells and bases for light fixtures, and continued sidewalk demolition and soil cell installation for Phase 3, which is from Coldwell Banker at the corner of Farmington Avenue and Dale Street, east to Treva.

Progress on Animal Control facility. April 9, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

The former Cunningham Supply building at 705 Oakwood Avenue will soon be demolished. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Work is underway on The Jayden at 579 New Park Avenue. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Progress of West Hartfofd Center Infrastructure Master Plan on Farmington Avenue. April 9, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Max Hospitality has announced the 2026 Max Chef to Farm schedule, with all events held at the beautiful Rosedale Farms & Vineyards in Simsbury. Click here to see the schedule.

Courtesy image

• Westfield Bank welcomes Ajay Goyal as Retail Banking Officer and Branch Manager of its West Hartford Office, 977 Farmington Avenue, President and CEO James C. Hagan announced. According to the announcement, Goyal joins the bank with over 25 years of banking and branch management experience. In his new role, he will be responsible for leading and managing the branch including customer service, retail and business product sales, employee development, and overseeing general branch operations, as well as business and community development. He joined the banking industry in 2000 and has held officer and management roles at several national banks, most recently in the Connecticut marketplace. He earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree, both from Agra University. “I am very excited to welcome Ajay to Westfield Bank,” said Kelly A. Pignatare, First Vice President and Manager of Retail Banking and Business & Government Deposit Services. “He brings decades of banking and management experience, knows and understands the Connecticut market, and has expertise across all aspects of retail banking.  We are thrilled to have him leading our branch team in West Hartford, which is part of our larger West Hartford Financial Services Center, housing employees across all lines of business and serving as our Connecticut hub.”

Ajay Goyal. Courtesy photo

• United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut has announced that two West Hartford residents – Hank Guerrero, President and General Manager at NBC and Telemundo Connecticut; and Brian Zelman, Principal at Zelman Real Estate – joined the organization’s Board of Directors effective April 1, 2026. According to the news release: “Guerrero, a long-time West Hartford resident, has been leading the strategic operations of both stations, NBC and Telemundo CT, since 2023. Hank brings more than 20 years of experience in leadership roles in the media industry to United Way’s Board of Directors, and a desire to make the 860 region a better place for all. Zelman, recognized as one of the Hartford Business Journal’s 2024 Power 25 Real Estate, is an experienced developer conscious of the lifelong impact that developments have in their communities. As a Bloomfield native and current West Harford resident, Brian designs projects that fit the greater community. Zelman is also a founding member of the Building Foundations Breakfast event, which is hosted annually by the commercial real estate and building industry in Greater Hartford in partnership with United Way to raise awareness and funds to address and prevent homelessness. Since 2021, the event has raised more than $2.5 million and counting, and has helped more than 2,560 people stay in stable housing.” Congratulations to both!

Hank Guerrero. Courtesy photo

Brian Zelman. Courtesy photo

• The Connecticut Democracy Center (CTDC) recently celebrated those committed to strengthening democracy through acts of citizenship, service, and community engagement at the third annual Connecticut Democracy Center Awards at Connecticut’s Old Statehouse. Theresa Hopkins-Staten of West Hartford, President of the Eversource Energy Foundation and Vice President of Community Partnership and Engagement, took the stage to accept the CTDC Business Leader Award in recognition of the Eversource Energy Pro-Equity Advisory Team. This year, the 2026 CTDC Community Leader Award was presented to Patricia Russo of New Canaan, Executive Director, The Campaign School at Yale University.JoAnn H. Price of Avon, Co-Founder of Fairview Capital Partners, Inc., was also honored with the Mary C. Gawlicki Philanthropic Leader Award.

Theresa Hopkins-Staten of West Hartford, President of the Eversource Energy Foundation and Vice President of Community Partnership and Engagement, took the stage to accept the CTDC Business Leader Award in recognition of the Eversource Energy Pro-Equity Advisory Team. After receiving the award, Hopkins Staten participated in a panel discussion with her fellow award recipients about strengthening democracy through acts of citizenship, service, and community engagement. Courtesy photo

• The West Hartford United Methodist Church (aka the “pumpkin church” at 1358 New Britain Avenue) is holding a diaper and toiletry drive during the months of April and May. In an email, WHUMC stated the following: “We wish to thank everyone for your ongoing support of our food drives. There are many who depend on the generosity of others just to get by, and your gifts are a blessing, and give hope and love who those need to be cared for and feel God’s love. Diapers, (especially sizes 4, 5,  &  6,) pull-ups, wipes, feminine hygiene items, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, shaving creme, soap, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, deodorant, and other related items are also needed. Please be sure that items are new, unopened, and have not passed their expiration date. Additionally, single boxes of tissues and single rolls of toilet paper are also much needed items.  In June we will resume our food drives with our annual summer food drive that goes through Labor Day. This is a critical time as children aren’t receiving breakfast and lunch in school.” There is a bin by the front door where donations can be dropped off at any time.
• ICYMI, Westfarms has welcomed Carolyn Edwards as the new general manager. Click here for the complete story.
• For an update on road construction plans for 2026, click here.
• Click here to listen to the latest episode of On The Scene featuring hosts Tom Hickey and Bob Carr in a discussion with Andreas Kapetanopoulos and Nicole Lent Pollard from NBT Bank to explore local business growth, community expansion, and the real-world impact of financial security – including the topics of fraud prevention and identity theft. All “On the Scene” podcasts can be found on the bottom of the We-Ha.com homepage.

On the Scene podcast logo

• Did you know …

Remember, if you have any business news to share, add it in the comments section below or email Ronni Newton at [email protected].

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Angel Land is now open in the Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

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