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

The month of April really zoomed by – and I can’t believe it’s already April 27th.

Now that the Town Council passed the FY27 budget, and I finished writing the story about it (click here to read the article), we are (hopefully) entering a lighter phase of the news cycle, with more time for feature stories (I did carve out time do an Earth Day photo gallery of spring flowers last week) and coverage of fun events.

Spring sports are in full swing, and please note that we’re doing what we can to cover as much as possible, and spread out that coverage evenly among Conard and Hall. If that doesn’t seem to happen, it’s unintentional and has to do with the timing of the games and the schedules of our freelancers and high school interns who cover sports. As always, I welcome submitted game photos along with a few basic details so that we can highlight as many of our sports and athletes as possible. Submitted coverage of other events (fundraisers, school plays, etc.) is always welcome, too. Email me at [email protected].

It’s almost Mother’s Day, and Melissa Cole put together a wonderful gift guide, featuring items from West Hartford businesses. If you’re on Instagram or Facebook, you can also check out the reels she created for our pages!

Ted and I checked out the newly-opened Burger Squad last week – important research for the featured item in this column. Most of the food photos are below with the bullet point, but here’s the wrap I devoured!

After spending a productive day working around the house, we had a delicious dinner at Smoke Public House on Saturday night. Ted is a huge fan of their cornbread, so that was his side dish, while I of course opted for the sweet potato fries.

No trolls this week, and 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 Please comply or your comment will not be published.

If you are a long term, regular advertiser on We-Ha.com and have a 60 to 75 word submission for a future Business Buzz please send to Bob Carr at [email protected]. You can also contact Bob if you are interested in becoming a sponsor of a section of the site.

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:

• I mentioned in last week’s column Burger Squad is now open at 165 Park Road (the space that was formerly Zaytoon’s Bistro/Z Bowls) and the restaurant was having its grand opening on April 18 when I was away, so as promised I went back to sample the food. I’m so glad I did!! Don’t let the name mislead you; Burger Squad is much more than burgers. The fast casual  restaurant is halal, and everything is prepared fresh and from sustainable sources, and in addition to smash burgers made of halal-certified beef, they also serve chicken shawarma, fried chicken (also available as a burger), lamb, wraps, chicken tenders, bone-in chicken, fish, grilled lamb chops, and a variety of platters. The fries are amazing – and the “regular” fries are not plain but rather sprinkled with rosemary salt. The Masala fries (we had to sample those as well) have an extra kick but aren’t outrageously spicy. The food is hand-crafted and full of taste, portions are ample, and prices are reasonable with burgers starting at $10.49, chicken bites for $8.99, and the platters ranging from $17.99-$20.99. Side dishes include hummus and garlic bread, and a delicious baklava was available for dessert the night we went. Burger Squad is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight. For more information, visit the website.

• Riviera French Café, owned by Andréa Chrétien, and his wife, Paloma, opened just over a week ago in Westfarms Center Court. This is the second location for Riviera French Café, which also has a cafe in Sarasota, Florida, and Andréa previously told me they chose Westfarms because it would be a great fit for the expansion of their business. “Westfarms felt like a natural next step for us. From the beginning, Riviera French Café was built around the idea of bringing a high-quality, thoughtfully curated café experience to places where people don’t always expect it – like shopping destinations. Westfarms perfectly aligns with that vision. We were drawn to Westfarms because it’s more than just a mall; it’s a true community hub. People don’t come only to shop – they come to spend time, meet friends, take a break, and enjoy the experience. That’s exactly the type of environment where our concept thrives. We love the idea of being a pause in the day: coffee in one hand and shopping bags the other,” he said. The Westfarms location, like Sarasota, emphasizes specialty coffee, espresso drinks, matcha, and a selection of French pastries. They also serve a selection of baguette sandwiches and French-inspired bites. I love coffee but usually drink it black and unsweetened, but opted to try an oat milk latte – which was delicious – and took a few minutes to sit and people-watch at a table in Center Court!

• West Hartford-based MORE Italian Pasta Lab is expanding, opening a second location in what was BAKE Market CT at 63 Hebron Avenue in Glastonbury. “We will have everything we have here,” said Anna Landi, who moved with her husband, Davide Di Pietro and their young daughter from Rome to West Hartford to open the business at 54 LaSalle Road in 2022. MORE has offered cooking classes at people’s homes or for special events, but because the Glastonbury space is larger, they will be able to offer classes at that location as well, and may be adding some chef dinners. “We will keep this store open,” Landi emphasized, noting that some people thought they were moving rather than expanding. They hope to open the Glastonbury location in June.

• Congratulations to Kumon West Hartford on the grand opening and ribbon cutting of their new learning center location at 345 North Main Street, Suite 40, in Bishops Corner. (Access is from the driveway along Albany Avenue where the Subway shop is located.) Kumon’s programs focus on building math, reading, and study skills, and this is the second location for Steve Sang, who also owns the center in Cheshire. He and his wife, Nancy Yan enrolled their daughter, Amanda Sang, in the Kumon program when she was younger, and she is now the manager of the West Hartford location. For more information, visit the website.

• Last week’s column featured an update about the plans for Market Hospitality Group to transform the ground floor of 978 Farmington Avenue into Mercato and Blu Pointe, and add a second story with five luxury apartments. I’m sharing these photos of the building, which now has a “Mercato” wrap on it and is clearly under construction.

• I also noticed while walking through the Center last week that plywood is covering the storefront of what will be Blu Olive at 60 LaSalle Road. It’s great to see the work on this space getting underway after some delays due to required electrical upgrades. Vicente Siguenza of JS Restaurant Group – the same group that owns Harvest Wine Bar, which is next door – told me in March that they had decided to open their Blu Olive concept (Mediterranean/Italian) in the space rather than South Bay (primarily seafood) as originally planned. The first Blu Olive opened last year in Westport, and a Greenwich location opened earlier this month –  and the menu will be similar, and will include fresh seasonal salads, antipasto, wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas, pastas, and beef and chicken dishes, as well as “fresh seafood prepared with Mediterranean techniques.”

• The signs are in place as Xtrait Perfumery gets closer to their opening in the former Center Framing & Art space at 968 Farmington Avenue. They had said on their Facebook page that they would open on May 1, and I’ll check back later this week!

• The Friendly Toast (36 LaSalle Road) has revitalized both their all-day breakfast/brunch/lunch food and drink menu at all 14 of their locations, according to a news release. “Building upon the familiar menu guests know and enjoy, this refresh brings a higher level of food quality and execution through partnerships with thoughtfully selected producers and artisans, expanded use of scratch-made recipes and the implementation of time-honored culinary techniques,” the announcement said. “We are sourcing from producers and artisans who share our commitment to quality, integrity and flavor,” said Joshua Smith, Vice President of Culinary Operations, The Friendly Toast. “It’s important to us that we only serve high-quality, real-ingredient meals that we would want our own families to eat.” The updated food menu, overseen by Smith, retains longtime staples like the Brioche French Toast while adding new dishes such as Caesar’s Revenge, made with citrus chicken paillard with shaved romaine, cotija cheese, crispy tortilla strips, Tajin, and house-made Caesar dressing, and Hot Honey Chicken Bites, made with buttermilk-brined, hand-breaded chicken, Mike’s Hot Honey and dill pickles. Ingredients are sourced from a range of specialty producers, including Pain D’Avignon, North Country Smokehouse and Natalie’s Orchid Island Juices, among others. Updates also include additional cocktails and mocktails and a larger selection of beer and wine. “This update is about enhancing what guests already enjoy about The Friendly Toast while remaining true to our roots,” said Shawn Utke, recently appointed as CEO of The Friendly Toast. “We have been intentional about evolving the menu in ways that feel seamless rather than disruptive, incorporating more local and seasonal ingredients and expanding our in-house preparation. These thoughtful changes allow us to elevate quality and consistency while preserving the sense of connection, comfort and place that has always been central to the heart of our restaurants.” The Friendly Toast in West Hartford is open daily, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and stays open until 8 p.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday.

• There’s great progress on the construction of the new Animal Control facility on Brixton Street, and below that are photos I took on Thursday of the progress of West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan construction in the Center.

• The metallic art and jewelry of artist Rachel Shuler will be featured at Open Studio on Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the location where its crafted in her home-based Mountain Tree Studios at 3 Hyde Road in West Hartford. “My work spans two interlocking themes – in my paintings, I explore the things that are hidden or unnoticed in the world around us, using metal leaf to capture how light behaves in real environments, said Rachel Shuler. “In my handcrafted metalwork jewelry, I draw on ancient and cross-cultural symbolism to create pieces that carry deeper layers of meaning.” Visitors will have an opportunity to view metallic paintings and jewelry at various stages, from initial concept to nearly complete – and can talk with Rachel about anything they see. Visitors will also get a first-hand look at the tools and equipment it takes to run an art studio, and create works of art. Finished paintings and jewelry will also be available for purchase, with specially reduced Open Studio pricing on select works. “When crafting each of my paintings, I aim to create art that is interactive and participatory. By incorporating reflective metal leaf and mica into my original landscape designs, I mimic the way light actively interacts with the environment,” she said. Rachel showcases her work in West Hartford Center at Store Fifty-Two and in other locations in Connecticut and New England, and she has recently been featured in solo and group shows at the Farmington Valley Art Center in Avon and the New Britain Art League in New Britain, among various venues. A native of the UK, she began her career in the sciences, but art steadily pulled her in a different direction. She came to the US in 2006, and after years of living on both coasts, found her home in Connecticut in 2018 — where she finally committed full-time to her artistic practice. “Having been heads down in the studio over the winter months, it’s time to open up the doors again, and showcase my new works.  I’m looking forward to having people come in to take a look behind the scenes, see pieces in progress and be the first to preview my new 2026 collections.” Her home studio at 3 Hyde Road is near Hall High School, on the corner of Arden Road and Hyde Road. Ample free parking is available in the adjacent cul-de-sac. More information is available at www.mountaintreestudios.com.

• While Niche.com may have bumped West Hartford to No. 2 on its list of best places in the state, for 2026 (behind Old Greenwich, which is part of Greenwich and not a separate town, Housely has identified West Hartford as the best place to live in Connecticut. The site provided the following statistics about West Hartford – Population: 63,000; Median home value: $452,000; Median household income: $148,000; City-Data crime index: 142.1. The write-up states: “West Hartford, Connecticut, stands out as an exceptional place to live, celebrated for its blend of charm, strong community ties, and a high quality of life. This vibrant town offers residents a unique blend of historical character and modern amenities. West Hartford’s tree-lined streets, well-preserved architecture, and welcoming atmosphere create an inviting environment that appeals to people of all ages. One of West Hartford’s defining features is its strong sense of community. The town takes pride in its friendly neighborhoods, local businesses, and an array of cultural events that foster a close-knit environment.” The full Housely report can be found here.

• West Hartford resident Marina Quilez is the owner of The Little Gym of Stratford, a children’s enrichment center offering gymnastics-based classes focused on building confidence, coordination, and life skills through movement and play. With a background in business and marketing, and extensive experience in corporate America’s technology sector, Marina developed strong operational and strategic skills. Driven by a passion for creating meaningful experiences for families, she decided to launch The Little Gym to bring a joyful and supportive community space to local families. The Little Gym of Stratford serves children from 4 months to 12 years old, offering gymnastics classes, camps, and birthday parties designed to support physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development. It’s located at 475 Hawley Lane, Unit A3, Stratford, CT 06614. More information can be found on the website.

• ICYMI, Mother’s Day is coming and there are some great ideas in the We-Ha Mother’s Day Gift Guide. Click here for details.
• Elmwood will be blooming again this spring and summer, and is looking for support for additional planters. Click here for more information.
• ICYMI, Mayor Shari Cantor and Town Manager Rick Ledwith recently engaged in a “State of the Town” conversation, moderated by Chuck Coursey and hosted by the Chamber of Commerce. Read the full story here.
• Click here to listen to the latest episode of On The Scene featuring hosts Tom Hickey and Bob Carr in a discussion about Monday night’s not-to-be-missed “Taste of Greater West Hartford,” which will be held at the Back Nine Tavern beginning at 5:30 p.m. All “On the Scene” podcasts can be found on the bottom of the We-Ha.com homepage.

• 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].

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