West Hartford Business Buzz: April 8, 2024

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

Monday is going to be so exciting – with both the eclipse and the UConn Huskies in the NCAA Mens Basketball Championship on the same day!

First the eclipse … which I really wasn’t paying much attention to until John Lyons started talking about doing a West Hartford Community Interactive roundtable show about it last week. Now I’m so excited, and I have my properly-certified (ISO code 12312-2) eclipse glasses – purchased early last week from Amazon – and am ready for this rare opportunity to experience (in West Hartford) 92% of the sun in the shadow of the moon with the peak being at 3:27 p.m. We were on the beach in Nantucket for the August 2017 eclipse – when the sun was only 65% in shadow in the middle of the day – and that was pretty cool (pun intended, because the temperature definitely dropped).

John and I had Dr. Jennifer Raska from Sight and Sedgwick science teacher Ted Goerner as our guests on this special eclipse show, and they provided not only information about what an eclipse actually is and why the path of totality is where it is, but also how to protect both your eyes and your phone camera if you are viewing the eclipse locally. You can watch the very informative YouTube video by clicking here.

I’ll be using a spare pair of my eclipse glasses to cover the lens of my iPhone to capture some photos, but I don’t have a proper lens for my actual camera so I’m not so sure how the photos will turn out. If anyone gets some great images that they are willing to share, please email them to me at [email protected].

As for finding extra eclipse glasses, there is a thread in the Neighbors & Friends Facebook group (search “eclipse glasses”) which may have some information about where you can still get them. And please note that eclipse glasses should only be worn while actually looking up at the sun. You can’t see anything else through them. It’s otherwise safe to be outside during the eclipse – just don’t look up at the sun without eclipse glasses.

West Hartford Public Schools have spring break this week, but many districts that don’t have break have scheduled early dismissals on Monday. West Hartford’s high school games that were scheduled for mid-afternoon have had the times changed on Monday to avoid them taking place during the eclipse. It’s very dangerous to view the eclipse without proper eye protection – and not being in school allows families the opportunity to control the eclipse-viewing experience.

Now for basketball … I’ve watched many, many hours of college basketball this season – and was among the 14.2 million people watching the UConn vs. Iowa women’s game on Friday night. I was also among those who was incredulous when Aaliyah Edwards was called for an illegal screen with just seconds left in the game. Awful ending to an epic game that could have had an even more epic ending, but congratulations to the UConn women for being such a class act, and for playing their hearts out all season and exceeding all expectations.

And I’ll be wearing my lucky shamrock socks Monday night – as I did for every UConn men’s basketball NCAA tournament game last year and as I have for every game this year.

As I commented on a Facebook thread posted by a high school friend on Sunday morning (he said while he is a sports fan, he really doesn’t have any feelings whatsoever about UConn basketball despite growing up in Connecticut), I said it definitely took a while for me to become a UConn men’s basketball fan. Growing up in Stamford, our printed and TV news was virtually all New York-based. UConn at the time was really in the Yukon Territory from my perspective. And because I went to Duke, and then my sister was at UConn when Christian Laettner made everyone in Connecticut hate Duke, I was far from a UConn fan even when I moved here in 1998. It was a gradual growth in my allegiance, but after both of my children earned degrees (two each) from UConn, and both worked for the basketball program, and after attending countless games (basketball, football, hockey, etc.) – I will emphatically say “GO HUSKIES!!” [Also I am glad they are not playing Duke.]

Last week the Board of Education adopted its budget for 2024-2025. There was an extensive amount of community engagement, and I attended the public hearing as well as the budget adoption meeting, and have full and thorough coverage of the process and vote that you can find here.

Mixed in with covering a major house fire and doing two roundtable shows (in addition to the show about the eclipse the other, about real estate, can be found here), there were some light-hearted moments such as attending the unveiling for many of the interesting food items on the menu at Dunkin’ Park for Yard Goats games this year, and the grand opening of Chip City, which is included as a bullet point below.

Look for coverage this week of the West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan Public Meeting (Monday at Town Hall in two sessions, as noted in a bullet point below) and also the return of “From the West Hartford Archives” which was on hiatus while Jeff Murray was enjoying a much-deserved vacation.

Finally, dinner Saturday night was a delicious meal at Smoke Public House. Owner Rich Sin-Clair was telling us about his special cornbread recipe (Ted is a huge cornbread fan) and brought us a piece to sample – and it was indeed amazing.

We sat at the bar at Smoke Public House and were able to watch the NC State vs. Purdue game while enjoying some beers and dinner. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chipotle chicken rolls at Smoke Public House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Smoked BBQ Sandwich with onion rings at Smoke Public House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

SmokeHouse Panini with sweet potato fries at Smoke Public House. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

The cornbread at at Smoke Public House is delicious! Photo credit: Ronni Newton

If you’re looking for news about West Hartford in print please note that many stories from We-Ha.com, as well as other local news, is published in the twice-monthly issues of the West Hartford Press.

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:

Owners Phil and Jennifer Dube stand behind the counter of WeHa Candle Co’s new location at 970 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Just about two months ago we reported in this column that West Hartford natives Jennifer and Phil Dube, owners of WeHa Candle Co., planned to relocate from 635 New Park Avenue to the former Pokemoto space at 970 Farmington Avenue in West Hartford Center. While they weren’t originally looking to move after such a short time in that space, they could no longer deal with constant leaks in the building that were ruining merchandise (that’s a story for another day) – both are absolutely thrilled with the new location, which will have a soft opening Wednesday or Thursday of this week (look for the paper in the windows to come down) and a grand opening and ribbon cutting the week of April 15. They will be open daily, with initial hours planned from 10 a.m. until 8. p.m., and will host scheduled candle-pouring parties for those with advance reservations as well as accept walk-ins who would like to pour their own candles at the bar. And while they won’t be serving food and drink, WeHa Candle Co. allows BYOB, and you can bring your own food as well – perhaps stop by to create a candle while waiting for a table at a nearby restaurant or just walking around in the Center. It takes 90 minutes to 2 hours for the wax to set, Phil said, which should dovetail perfectly for an after-meal pickup. If you prefer a ready-made candle, WeHa Candle Co. has plenty of those, with a line of “townie” candles named after places in West Hartford like the Reservoir, Elmwood, Stoner Drive, Center Nights, Orchard Road, Town Green, Main Street, Buena Vista, and Noah’s Hearth, but they have also branched out to seasonal scents and candles named after other nearby towns and places people like to visit. Each glass jar candle has a map of the location on the back, which is illuminated when the candle burns. They also have some great home decor and hostess gift items available – linens, glassware, barware, charcuterie sets, dip bowls, throw pillows, and insulated water bottles with messages perfect for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Those offerings will continue to expand, with a rotating space available for the collections of local artists.  “I love doing different projects and Phil does, too,” Jennifer said, and WeHa Candle will host crafting events such as wreath-making and activities for kids. “We plan on partnering with business to do whisky and wine-tasting,” Phil added, noting that it’s a great event space for small parties. For more information, including registration for a candle-pouring workshop or booking a private party, visit the website. They are also looking to hire a part-time employee (email [email protected] or call 860-559-8040). You can also follow @wehacandleco on social media. A few photos are below, and more can be found at the end of the column.

Interior of WeHa Candle Co’s new location at 970 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Interior of WeHa Candle Co’s new location at 970 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

WeHa Candle Co. has greeting cards for sale at their new location at 970 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Interior of WeHa Candle Co’s new location at 970 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Interior of WeHa Candle Co’s new location at 970 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Interior of WeHa Candle Co’s new location at 970 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Interior of WeHa Candle Co’s new location at 970 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Just in time for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Interior of WeHa Candle Co’s new location at 970 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Among the gift items on display at WeHa Candle Co’s new location at 970 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Center are charcuterie boards and accessories. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

WeHa Candle Co. will open this week at 970 Farmington Avenue in West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Interior of WeHa Candle Co’s new location at 970 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Congratulations to Ting Luo, owner of the Green Teahouse at Westfarms, on being named the 2024 Minority Business of the Year for Connecticut by the Small Business Association. Luo and her team were honored Wednesday morning by SBA District Director Catherine Marx; U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal; West Hartford Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Chris Conway; Westfarms General Manager Elizabeth Ryan; Denise Whitford, Business Advisor, Small Business Development Center; and Adam Ney of the CBIA. The recognition comes as part of 2024 National Small Business Week, celebrated by the U.S. Small Business Administration, which “acknowledges the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. The Green Teahouse will be recognized, in part, for their success in overcoming business challenges during the COVID pandemic and achieving the staying power that makes the business resilient in the ever-increasing retail environment.” Ting, who is an expert in handcrafting teas and on Wednesday proudly shared the Jasmine tea that is a specialty from her hometown of Chengdu, opened her first Green Teahouse location in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square in May 2009, and moved to Westfarms in 2018, where she is now in her second – and much larger – location on the lower level right outside Macy’s. “Starting a small business and running a small business is not easy,” said Marx at the celebration, but “Ting is living the American Dream,” she said, noting that during COVID, she was able to take advantage of the PPP, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, and also utilizes resources from the SBA’s Small Business Development center and the Women’s Development Council. Blumenthal, who presented a certificate on behalf of the U.S.. Senate, noted how on a raw, cold day, it was wonderful to enjoy the warmth of the Green Teahouse. To own a small business, he said, “it take a lot of courage, resilience, resolve, strength, and determination and a good product – and the Green teahouse has a great product, in fact a collection of great products that are not only tasteful but also really very healthy. … American is the greatest country in the world because of people like Ting who come here seeking opportunity and freedom, and taking advantage in a way that a lot of Americans take for granted.” Ting praised the support she has received for her small business. “I just came back from China actually and I saw the struggles my brother has in China on his own, and  there’s no government agency support, there’s no government aid programs or assistance supporting him,” she said. “I came to this country to pursue my American dream. It was really challenging in the beginning – really, really challenging – especially the language barrier, the cultural barrier, ” she said, expressing how grateful she is to Laura, her store manager, Whitford, and the others who have supported her. And, she said, she is very thankful to be in the U.S. as a small business owner. The Green Teahouse is one of 25 small businesses at Westfarms, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. 

Ting Luo, who was named Connecticut’s 2024 Minority Small Business of the Year, speaks about how she is living the “American Dream.” Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Ting Luo (center) with Catherine Marx (left) and Denise Whitford of the Small Business Association. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Ting Luo (center, in pink) was honored at The Green Teahouse on April 3 after being named the 2024 Minority Small Business for Connecticut. Photos credit: Ronni Newton

Ting Luo provides a sample of her special Jasmine tea. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

The Green Teahouse is located on the lower level of Westfarms, just outside Macy’s. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Last week’s column featured Chip City, which had its grand opening on Friday morning in Blue Back Square. In fact, I was inside the soon-to-open shop at 67 Memorial Road, with many town officials and members of West Hartford Chamber when the earthquake occurred, but none of us felt it there. We were probably too busy inhaling the amazing aromas of freshly-baked cookies and “cookies” – a Paris-based trend that features a cookie stuffed inside a buttery croissant – that Chip City Business Development Manager James Fleming said is now going viral. As I mentioned last week, I couldn’t resist taking photos of the very photogenic and extraordinarily and goo-ily chew-ily delicious cookies. The dough is shipped to the stores, where the cookies are baked fresh and served within the hour. Each are roughly four servings (I’m hoping the rule about the calories falling out when you break off pieces applies here). You can also have your cookies topped with ice cream, and Chip City also sells milk to go with the cookies, as well as coffee and espresso. West Hartford is the third store to open in Connecticut, and the main menu is the same across their now-37 stores, and for opening included Chocolate Chip, S’Mores, Frootie Crunch, Cookies N’ Cream, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter, Banana Cream Pie, White Chocolate Macadamia, and Brookie (brown sugar cookie mixed with dark chocolate chips swirled with a fudgy brownie base) – plus assorted Crookies and a special Hostess Cupcake cookie that is an opening day feature. Chip City has just introduced a new mascot – appropriately named “Chip” – who was on hand to welcome visitors on opening day. They also have socks and other merchandise for sale. Chip City is open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. More details are available online at www.chipcitycookies.com. A few photos are below, but because I couldn’t resist taking so many, more are at the end of the column.

Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

The Chip City Brookie was as good as it looked. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chip (left) with Chip [Janiszewski, chair of the Chamber Board of Directors] at the grand opening. Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

My personal Chip City selections were (from left) chocolate chip, Brookie, and cookies and cream. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• West Hartford’s Town Plan & Zoning Commission (TPZ) gave the final approval last Monday, April 1, with a 5-0 vote to approve a Special Use Permit for a drive-through at the new Wendy’s building planned for 331 South Road – across from Westfarms. The Town Council on Feb. 27, 2024 had approved the application “filed on behalf of INSPIRED BY OPPORTUNITY, LLC, lessee of property commonly known as Wendy’s Restaurant, to modify Special Design District #29 (SDD #29) located at 331 South Road to demolish the existing restaurant building and create a new 2,680 s.f. restaurant building with drive-through facility” and the final step before the project could move forward was obtaining a the special use permit for the drive-through. This project has been in the works for several years, and although the existing restaurant building itself is in West Hartford, the parcel is partially in Farmington, and I reported in this column, on June 27, 2022, that Wendy’s had gotten approval from the necessary agencies from the Town of Farmington and would be submitting an application to West Hartford to amend the existing Special Development District. At the time, the owner was hoping to begin the work in the summer of 2022. In the May 1, 2023 Business Buzz column, I reported that the Design Review Advisory Committee (DRAC) had held a favorable study session (that was on April 20, 2023) for the plans to construct a 2,680 square foot building with a drive-through on the site of the existing 3,220 square foot restaurant (which will be demolished), and also make improvements to the parking and driveway areas, as well as landscaping, signage, and stormwater and sanitary sewers. The existing Wendy’s has 108 seats and 72 parking spaces, and the proposed new restaurant will have 40 seats and 34 parking spaces. As for the part about Wendy’s wanting to have a drive-through, while West Hartford formerly allowed drive-throughs for restaurants only in industrial zones, in September 2021 the Town Council unanimously adopted an ordinance expanding the ability to have drive-throughs in the BG (general business district) in town. It was an idea and initiative that came out of one of the pandemic recovery standing committees, and there are still significant controls regarding where drive-throughs can be located (for example they must be at least 200 feet from any residence), setbacks, queue lengths, etc. Two drive-throughs were previously approved under this ordinance – the Starbucks that’s now under construction in front of Corporate Center West on South Main Street and the Chipotle that will be built in Prospect Plaza. The Starbucks with a drive-through that opened on Kane Street was grandfathered because it was formerly a D’Angelos with a drive-through.

Plans have been approved for a rebuild to include the addition of a drive-through at the Wendy’s opposite Westfarms. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

Plans for a Wendy’s with drive-through reviewed by DRAC during an informal study session. Screenshot from Town of West Hartford website (we-ha.com file)

• The Town of West Hartford and its consultant, Stantec, will hold two project update sessions on the West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan on Monday, April 8 in the Town Hall Auditorium. This meeting follows the input received during a public meeting held in February and a survey featuring several design options. A morning session will be held from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and an evening session from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The same presentation will be offered at the start of each meeting. Both sessions will be recorded and live-streamed and can be watched at the following links: Session 1: https://youtube.com/live/PO5xGJ3Y928 and Session 2: https://youtube.com/live/PhZwhDfV-ns. This meeting is for Center stakeholders as well as any interested members of the public. The meeting will review the overall master plan for the Center, with a focus on the design direction for LaSalle Road and Farmington Avenue. Questions and comments regarding the meeting or project can be provided to WHCenterPlan@WestHartfordCT.gov or contact Duane Martin at [email protected].

Town of West Hartford image

• Congratulations to West Hartford Police Chief Vernon Riddick, who received the 2024 Dr. Henry C. Lee Award on March 23 from the Jane Doe No More organization. According to a social media post from the organization, Riddick and Dan Saban, president of Anderson Security Agency, Ltd., who also was honored with the award, “exemplify Dr. Lee’s passion to advance education and prevention of sexual crimes and advocate and support survivors to ensure that all victims are treated with dignity and respect.”

Chief Vernon Riddick. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

• Congratulations to Jennifer Pollard, who coaches both the Conard boys and girls swimming and diving teams, and who was honored as the 2024 Connecticut High School Coaches Association Boys Swimming and Diving Coach of the Year!

Conard coach Jennifer Pollard was named the CT High School Coaches Association Boys Swimming and Diving Coach of the Year. Conard Athletics Instagram screenshot

• West Hartford-based Bare Life has received additional recognition, with f0under and resident Ali Lazowski’s award winning, plant-based and gluten-free hot cocoa has earned a place among the 10 Best Gluten Free & Organic Product Companies in Natural Nutmeg Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Bare Life’s original Coconut Hot Cocoa also continues to receive awards and widespread praise from a steadily increasing customer base. Since its founding, Connecticut-basedBare Life has sold more than 480,000 mugs of hot cocoa, with customers in all 50 states. Customers can now see Bare Life’s Coconut Hot Cocoa Mix on more local shelves in nearly 150 stores across 20 states, including select ShopRite locations and all of the Whole Foods throughout New England.

Ali Lazowski. Courtesy photo

• Congratulations to West Hartford resident Michelle Murphy – whom I have worked with in many capacities over the years – who has joined the staff of the West Hartford-based Aurora Women and Girls Foundation as its development manager.  The following is from a news release from the Aurora Women and Girls Foundation, which held an annual meeting on March 28 to kick off its 24th year. Aurora Executive Director Jennifer Steadman, PhD cited highlights of the past year, including a four-year, $1-million gift (the largest in its history), which expands the existing College Success Program and triples Aurora’s grant-making resources. That gift, from the Charlotte and Hy Goode Family Fund Supporting Women’s Potential at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, provides counseling, child care, transportation, mentoring, and other wrap-around resources to six women attending Manchester Community College, Capital Community College, and Charter Oak State College. “We are thrilled to strengthen Aurora’s already strong Board and staff with the addition of outstanding community leaders and a proven fundraising and communication expert with deep ties in our community,” Steadman said. “On the heels of last year’s incredible growth, we are committed to increasing Aurora’s impact and building even more opportunities for women and girls.” Joining the Aurora staff is Michelle Murphy, a seasoned fundraising and communications professional, as Development Manager. Murphy was most recently the Vice President of Development and Marketing at the Springfield Museums in Springfield, MA. A graduate of Georgetown University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, she also served as the Executive Director of the Malta House of Care Clinic in Hartford from 2016-21, and held Development or Communications positions at Mercy High School, Kingswood Oxford School, and Northwest Catholic High School. “I am thrilled for this opportunity to work for a place I have known and respected for years,” said Murphy, a West Hartford resident who also serves on the Board of Levo International and on the state’s Judicial Review Council, to which she was appointed by Gov. Ned Lamont in 2021. The new Board members are
  Rauchell Beckford-Anderson of Simsbury, an attorney with Shipman & Goodwin’s Employment and Labor Practice Group; Katherine Hall of West Granby, also a member of Aurora’s Luminary Event planning committee, Vice President of Global Programs for Koyamada International Foundation; and Tina St. Pierre of Wethersfield, a longtime supporter of the Aurora Foundation and a Partner and Chief Operating Officer in the Secondaries Group of Ares Management.

Aurora Women and Girls Foundation Facebook image

• The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce will hold its Annual Meeting & Spotlight Awards on Thursday June 27, 2024 at The North House in Avon and is now accepting nominations. The chamber will be presenting a variety of awards honoring individuals, businesses, and nonprofits. Nominations (use this link) for the awards must be made by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 26. Chris Conway, President & CEO of the West Hartford Chamber, said, “Last year we received a record number of nominations in every category. We hope to see many individuals, businesses, and organizations nominated for this year’s awards.” The two top honors are the Noah Webster Community Award and the Elizabeth Gustin Basil Women’s Leadership Award, named for the late Elizabeth Gustin Basil, who was the Chamber’s first female chairperson. This award will honor a woman in leadership roles who have positively impacted other women professionals. Additionally, the Chamber continues their tradition of the Noah Webster Award, their most prestigious award. This is given to a person or business that has exhibited extraordinary commitment to the Town of West Hartford and its community. Additional award categories include: New Business of the Year; Legacy Business (25+ years in business); Economic Driver; Entrepreneur of the Year; Non-Profit of the Year; Young Professional of the Year.

Courtesy image

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

Interior of WeHa Candle Co’s new location at 970 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Interior of WeHa Candle Co’s new location at 970 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Interior of WeHa Candle Co’s new location at 970 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Interior of WeHa Candle Co’s new location at 970 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Interior of WeHa Candle Co’s new location at 970 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Interior of WeHa Candle Co’s new location at 970 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Interior of WeHa Candle Co’s new location at 970 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Interior of WeHa Candle Co’s new location at 970 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Interior of WeHa Candle Co’s new location at 970 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Foodie trend expert and lifestyle personality Alex P. Taylor and I cross paths often, and he posed at the Chip City grand opening with his selections. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chip Janiszewski was the first customer. Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Crookies. Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Dairy free options are available. Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Hostess Cupcake cookies were an opening day special. Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Crookies. Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chip City is now open at 67 Memorial Road in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

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