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

By Ronni Newton

Thank you to the sun for coming out on Sunday, after quite a few gloomy days that were putting a damper on what is shaping up to be a beautiful spring with all of the flowers and trees (and associated pollen) blooming at once!

I loved that Brad Drazen, who was a fellow Red team member as well as emcee, wore his WeHa tie to War of the Words! Photo credit: Joy Taylor

On Saturday I had the privilege of being a contestant in the Noah Webster House and West Hartford Historical Society’s “War of the Words” fundraising game show. Even though my “Red” team lost (despite my painting my nails bright red and wearing a red dress for luck), it was so much fun! A shout out to my team members Brad Drazen (who was decked out in his Vineyard Vines WeHa tie!) and Tammy Exum, “Blue” team members Rob Kyff, Jennifer LaRue, and Robert King, and host and Merriam-Webster Editor at Large Peter Sokolowski.

Last week was a busy week (seems like they all are), with the introduction of West Hartford’s new town manager. I really enjoyed meeting Matt Hart and his family at Monday’s Town Council meeting, and am very happy to welcome him to West Hartford!

There was a groundbreaking, local candidate announcements for the governor’s race, taxes were due (giant ugh), and there was a Board of Education meeting. I ended my week with a visit to the Delamar Hotel in Greenwich, and look forward to providing some firsthand information very soon about the spa that will be part of the Delamar West Hartford Hotel scheduled to open this June.

Looking ahead, this coming week will be highlighted by the Town Council’s adoption of the 2017-2018 budget on Tuesday night, and the annual Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Update on Thursday.

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:

The Simple Greek is expected to open in Corbin’s Corner this May. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• In a continued attempt to keep up with upcoming restaurant openings (which is quite a challenge because there is a long list), I try to check in on places when I happen to be in the area. Last week I stopped in at The Simple Greek in Corbin’s Corner (1489 New Britain Ave.) when I was shopping at Trader Joe’s. The signs are on the building exterior, and there is a “Coming Soon” sign in the window. A contractor allowed me to peek inside, where construction is well underway. He said that the opening will likely be in “late May.” According to its website, The Simple Greek is an “interactive concept that combines premium ingredients, open kitchens, and Greek atmosphere in a fast casual setting.” The base of each entree begins with a pita or a bowl, to which proteins, toppings, sauces, and finishes are added. There are also some other Greek favorites like dolmades and spanakopita on the menu.
  

  Sejla Jahic has opened SJ Hair Studio. Courtesy photo

• A new business has opened in West Hartford in Salons by JC‘s Bishops Corner space (333 North Main St., above Marshalls/HomeGoods). According to an email from Salons by JC owner Gary Dahms, “Sejla Jahic is pleased to announce the opening of SJ Hair Studio. Sejla’s foray into salon ownership is the culmination of years of struggle through trying circumstances. In 1992 she emigrated from Bosnia and Herzegovina to escape the genocide then occurring against the country’s citizens. She settled first in Austria, then Germany and finally the United States. She initially developed her passion for hair styling while working in Germany as an assistant at a hair salon. Once in the U.S. she pursued the education necessary for licensing and has now been providing hair care services for over 14 years. Having her own salon has afforded Sejla the freedom to work the hours that best fit both her and her client’s lives. For example, her salon is one of the few to offer Sunday hours, which has proven very popular with busy professionals. Sejla has expertise with Goldwell and Redken hair color products. She is both Goldwell and Keratin complex certified and continues her professional education to stay abreast of the all latest hair color and styling trends.” For more about Sejla Jahic, visit her Instagram or Facebook page. To contact her or make an appointment, visit her website or call 860-471-6961.
• Plans are well underway – and tickets are selling briskly – for West Hartford’s Inaugural Wine & Food Festival on June 17, 2017, from 1-6 p.m., on the grounds of Kingswood Oxford School. According to Eat IN Connecticut, the following restaurants/restaurant groups have confirmed participation: Restaurant Bricco, Carbones, Park & Oak Restaurant, INDIA, Noble & Co., Zohara, Millwrights, Popover Bistro & Bakery, The North House, Ideal Tavern, The Rockin Chicken, Locals 8, Table 570, @ the barn, Firebox, Cafe Louise at Indian Hill Country Club, and ON 20. The list will be growing, and a total of 30 restaurants are expected to be included. As for the wines (a key part of the event, and there will be more than 200 of them!), the following wineries will be among those represented: Stonestreet; La Crema; Ferrari Carano; Cenyth, Mt. Brave; Beaulieu Vineyards; WindRacer; and Louis Latour. Event sponsors to date include Hoffman Auto Group, Berkshire Hathaway, Newman Architects, Green Earth Energy, JP Carroll, Mercy Community Health, iHeart Radio, The Jewish Ledger, Natural Nutmeg Magazine, and CPTV. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the West Hartford Wine & Food website and follow on Facebook. To read the article about the event, click here.
• Larsen Ace Hardware General Manager Dan Hinman said that the store has been doing grill demos throughout the month of April, and will be continuing them throughout the spring. On April 29, the demo will be held in conjunction with the West Hartford Omaha Steaks store (13 South Main St.), which will providing delicious food items to be grilled and then sampled. Grills being demonstrated include Weber products as well as Big Green Egg and Traeger. Larsen, which took over the former Pfau’s store (982 Farmington Ave.) exactly two years ago, will also be holding a  “Customer Appreciation Day” on Saturday, May 6. Hinman said they have always held an appreciation day in their Canton store, as a thank you to shoppers. The festivities will run from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. and will include hot dogs, popcorn, t-shirt and other give-aways, and a chance to win a Weber Q-1200 grill. The food will be served beginning at 11 a.m. and last until it runs out, Hinman said.
• Speaking of birthdays, congratulations to Fleet Feet West Hartford – which celebrated its 20th birthday this weekend!
  

  Aaron Levy. Submitted photo

• Congratulations also go to West Hartford resident Aaron Levy, who was recently elected to the Board of Directors of Leadership Greater Hartford (LGH). According to a news release, “Levy is a Partner at Shipman & Goodwin LLP and a graduate of LGH’s 2016 Quest class. He specializes in providing environmental regulatory compliance and business and transactional counseling. Prior to joining Shipman & Goodwin, Levy was an Associate at Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP. He received his BA from Colorado College and his JD from the University of Connecticut School of Law. Leadership Greater Hartford (LGH) is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that supports and strengthens the local community by training and connecting aspiring and established leaders. For more information about LGH, call 860-951-6161 (x1800), email in[email protected], visit http://www.leadershipgh.org, or follow LGH on Facebook and Twitter @leadershiphtfd.
• Sunday, April 30, is Open Studio at The Yoga Shop in West Hartford. The event will include free yoga, discounts on class cards and at grace+GRIT, and yummy snacks by Popover Bakery. The event is open to everyone in the community – and is the perfect chance to try a yoga class.
• ICYMI, one of the most exciting things planned for West Hartford in a long time is Gastro Park, a food truck park/community gathering space/incubator for local small businesses/so much more planned by Iron & Grain co-owner Tate Norden for a plot of land on New Park Avenue across from the Elmwood CTfastrak station. For the complete story, click here.
• Also ICYMI, Taste of Bishops Corner has a new date, and an outdoor location. (And we have summoned our local weather spirits to ensure a nice day.) It will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., on the outdoor patio next to Blue Plate Kitchen and Maximum Beverage in Bishops Corner (333 North Main St., West Hartford). Click here for more details, including a list of participating restaurants and planned activities (to date).

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

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