West Hartford Business Buzz: April 25, 2016

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

By Ronni Newton

I hope everyone enjoyed a fabulous weekend!

I had a big to-do list this weekend, but didn’t get as much done as planned because I spent more time than planned hanging out on the patio enjoying the sunshine. Although planting pansies (which never got checked off the list) would not have interfered with enjoying the sunshine, it didn’t happen and my planters are still barren.

In addition to attending a fundraiser for Friends of Chieftain Baseball (new booster club for Conard’s baseball team) on Saturday night at the Hooker Brewery in Bloomfield (it would be so great to have something like that in West Hartford), I did make it to the gym on Saturday and went for a run on Sunday. I was also chasing down some stories for this column – and there are plenty of them this week!

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:

Woof Gang will open in the former Munson’s location in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Blue Back Square is about to welcome a new specialty retailer!

A Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming franchise location will open in the 62 Isham Rd. space next to Barnes & Noble left vacant when Munson’s closed on Dec. 31, 2015. “Our goal is to be a destination and our motto is ‘your neighborhood pet store,'” said Bill Eastwood, co-owner of the store with his wife, Julie Eastwood. I met the Eastwoods when they were exhibiting at Yappy Hour at Blue Back Square on Thursday, and both said that they are very excited and hope to open by June 1. “So many people here own dogs, and people here love dogs,” Bill said. Woof Gang will offer “salon style” grooming and according to its website will also sell gourmet treats, healthy pet foods, pet supplies, and accessories. On opening day, the first 20 dogs in attendance will receive free treats for a year.
In a February Business Buzz column we announced the opening of a new Salvation Army Donation Center in Bishops Corner. Initially it was only open three days a week, but according to an alert reader who emailed me this past week, it’s now open daily and is doing very well. The donation center is located in Crossroads Plaza, right next to the Judaica Store on the back side of Big Y.
Labrazel Home is closing in a few days and whatever is left is deeply discounted. Courtesy photo

Eastern Mountain Sports filed for bankruptcy last week, and as part of the reorganization the West Hartford store in Corbin’s Corner will be closing. Based on some comments posted on Facebook during the weekend, the store already looks pretty empty, but if there’s anything left it’s being sold at a deep discount.
Labrazel Home (74 LaSalle Rd.) is in its final week of operation as a retail store with plans to close for good on April 30. “We still have plenty of towels, bath rugs and more but it is going fast,” owner Lauren Zeligson said. Everything left is now 75-90 percent off.
Other LaSalle Road news includes the planned move of BK&CO to Farmington Avenue from a storefront at 64 LaSalle Rd. that it has occupied for more than two decades. The owners are very excited and details have just been made public this morning. BK&CO has also started liquidating its Pandora collection. Click here for the complete story.

Bluemercury in West Hartford Center is holding a “MASKquerade” event beginning Monday. The weeklong event features complimentary facials courtesy of experts from top brands like La Mer, Darphin, Skinceuticals, Peter Thomas Roth and Trish McEvoy whose “innovative masks will reveal the skin of your dreams.” A glass of champagne and cucumber slices (for nibbling or “de-puffing” – your choice) are also complimentary, but call to reserve 860-231-9099.
Fuel cell at Legrand North America. Submitted photo
A ceremony was held Monday at Legrand North America when the company symbolically “cut the cord” by flipping the switch on its new 500kW, solid-oxide fuel cell system. According to a news release, the fuel cell will provide “cleaner and more efficient power” to its headquarters and Wiremold manufacturing facility in West Hartford. The fuel cell is expected to produce up to 88 percent of the electricity to every building on its 263,000-square-foot, 100-year-old campus, the release states. “Legrand sought to find a solution that would reduce the energy consumption and carbon footprint of its corporate facility, and reduce wasteful spending on energy. The new fuel cell will generate an approximate 21 percent reduction in energy intensity and as much as 50 percent reduction in harmful CO2 emissions for the West Hartford facility. At system capacity, the net savings will be approximately $2.4M over the first ten years.” In 2011, Legrand committed to the U.S. Department of Energy that they would reduce energy intensity across all 14 U.S. site by 25 percent over 10 years, and actually achieved a 28.5 percent reduction in just two years. “Legrand now has its sights set on achieving another 25 percent total reduction in energy intensity across all of its North American facilities from a 2012 baseline and the fuel cell is going to help us meet that lofty goal here in West Hartford,” said Susan Rochford, vice president of Energy Efficiency, Sustainability & Public Policy at Legrand, North America. A fuel cell converts the chemical energy of fuel and an oxidant directly into electrical energy without combustion taking place, for an energy source with a much lower environmental impact compared to legacy power systems.

Congratulations to Revival Home, celebrating the fourth anniversary of its expansion into a second storefront on South Main. According to a news release, Sean and Arlene Carr, owners of the consignment furniture store at 131 South Main St. “are so happy to be part of this community and they appreciate all the love and support that they receive. Both get so excited every time someone comes in to their store and finds a piece that can make such a beautiful impact in their home.”
It’s time for the Second Annual Best of West Hartford! The nomination process will begin on Monday, May 2, so be on the lookout for the details and start thinking about your favorite West Hartford businesses!
One more teaser: Taste of Blue Back Square is coming this summer! There will be no shortage of great restaurants participating in this event, planned for Wednesday, July 27. Details to follow.