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

I’m wishing everyone a happy Monday in this return-to-reality-for-me edition of Business Buzz.

Today is my first day back from a two-week vacation! While I definitely did work while we were away, I was able to step back from most of the day-to-day coverage of West Hartford and I am very thankful that there were also quite a few days where I didn’t touch my computer at all. And it was great to be able to take a hiatus from this column last week, particularly since there really was very little business news to share.

Thank you to Mia Jaworski, Roz Green, and Bridget Bronsdon for their fabulous contributions over the past few weeks!

The past two weeks have included wonderful family time not only with Ted’s mom, but also with our daughter Katie and her husband Matt and their two young children (toddlers and babies have quite a bit of energy at 5 a.m. – and I most decidedly don’t, but I do somehow seem to be capable of pushing a stroller and making noises like a train before my first cup of coffee – our son Sam and his fiancée Kate and her parents, brother, and grandparents; Ted’s brother and his wife; and our nephew and his girlfriend and her sister. We biked almost everywhere, I did a few long runs, read a few novels, we kayaked and did a guided nature hike, watched some beautiful sunsets, and we have definitely made some great memories during what I think has been the best two weeks of weather we can recall. At least part of every day was a beach day, the high temperature range was about 75-80 degrees on all but one day, and I am just so grateful to have had this opportunity to unwind a bit before gearing up for the fall.

Millie had a great time running on the beach and chasing seagulls as well as keeping the yard [somewhat] free of deer and bunnies.

For Ted, today truly begins his new chapter of retirement since we left for vacation the morning after his last day of work at MassMutual!

Most of our vacation dining was done at home (or picnic lunches on the beach), but we did have one fabulous dinner at Ventuno (thanks to Amanda Sirica for the recommendation!). We also biked to Cisco Brewers for a beer and lunch from the Millie’s food truck, and biked to the Nantucket Bake Shop for doughnuts (family rule is you cannot drive to the bake shop).

I’ve been holding onto the lead story for this column since just before I left, and it’s news that I am very excited to finally share! There are a few of the usual updates that I’m not able to provide since I haven’t been able to get photos (construction in the Center and of the new Animal Control facility), but those will return next week.

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.

No trolls this week, and thank you to all who comment with your full names! 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 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:

• In June I spoke to the owner of the building at 22 Raymond Road, Bruce Kanter, who confirmed that Toro Mexican Street Food has closed permanently and said they are speaking with some potential new tenants, “all restaurants with some unique concepts that I believe will be well received by the West Hartford community,” and I’m excited to report that the space will soon become … Mozz & Company Delicatessen! Joey Cusano, a West Hartford resident who is currently the chef at Le Mazet on Farmington Avenue in West Hartford Center, will be opening an upscale Italian deli in the space, aiming for a mid-November opening. “There’s nothing like this in West Hartford,” Cusano told me, noting that that some of the specialties he plans include homemade chicken cutlets, fresh porchetta with broccoli rabe, and other in-house-made meats. There will be a refrigerated area near the entrance where he plans to offer grab-and-go meals and other items as well. And, on Saturdays and. Sundays, “I want to do Italian dinners – what my mom used to do,” Cusano said. They will also be serving beer and wine.  “We’re giving this a facelift,” he said of the space, adding granite and subway tiles, and is working with designer Robin Jones on the interior. “It will be a really clean, contemporary Italian deli with a rustic vibe,” he said. The exterior currently has a Mexican-themed mural, but will likely be painted in a cream color, and he hopes to add an awning and/or pergola outside. Cusano said he recently took a 4-week paternity leave after he and his his wife had their first child, and that’s when he came to the realization that he really wanted to be his own boss. Things just clicked when he found out about the Raymond Road space it was perfect for his plans. “I’m really excited about having a fast casual place,” said Cusano. Plans are to be open from 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. in the winter months, but then expand the hours until 7 p.m. in the spring and summer. They will also offer coffee service, including espresso.

• Angel Land got the go-ahead to open in the Corbin Collection, following the Town Plan & Zoning Commission approval of a Special Use Permit to open an indoor children’s playground on the lower level of 1445 New Britain Avenue, the former buybuy Baby space in the Corbin Collection. The SUP application was filed under the town’s Indoor Recrease or Amusement Facility ordinance – the second business to use the somewhat-recently passed ordinance. The other business, Level99, is currently being built out in the same building and slated to open either late this year or early in 2026. Angel Land already has a successful facility in Stamford and the application notes that they are looking to expand to another location in the state, offering a indoor recreational space for children, primarily under age 10, for “wholesome and engaging environment where children can enjoy physical activity, social interaction, and developmental play, regardless of weather conditions. The space will be designed with age-appropriate play structures, party rooms, and interactive play areas, adhering to the highest standards of safety, accessibility, and cleanliness.” The application notes plans for the 19,053-square-foot space to include soft play climbing structures, slides and obstacle courses, ball pits and foam zones, sensory-friendly areas for toddlers, imagination play zones such as mini-markets, kitchens, and construction areas and private party rooms. They plan to be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., but offer extended hours on weekends or for private events. “We anticipate serving local residents, daycares, and elementary school groups, drawing foot traffic that supports the surrounding businesses in the area,” states the application. The space has been vacant since Buybuy Baby closed (for the second time, for good) last fall.

• I forgot to mention in this column two weeks ago that right before I left for vacation I noticed that Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana had started the construction of the new takeout area and private dining room in the Elmwood Shopping Plaza (1126-1146 New Britain Avenue) that had been reported back in January. The property owner, Hare Associates, LLC, currently leases 3,277 square feet to Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, and had requested the town’s approval for a change in use in order to lease the adjacent 2,230 square foot space, which had never been occupied, to Pepe’s. The property is an SDD, but the request for “minor changes to parking, signage, and architectural elements” fell within the authority of Town Planner Todd Dumais, who approved the request.

• James C. Hagan, President and CEO of Westfield Bank, announced in a news release that Steven Gold has been appointed Business Specialist at the Bank’s West Hartford location. He will be responsible for business development in the assigned territory, along with supporting the Branch Manager with leadership andmanagement of branch service, sales, and operations as needed. Gold brings nearly 30 years of banking experience, having worked in vice president and director roles forother local community banks. He is a graduate from Clark University, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. Gold went on to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to obtain his master’s degree in finance. Gold is involved in his community and has an interest in athletics, participating as a Redding/Easton footballand lacrosse club coach. In addition, he is a supportive member of the Mark Twain Library, and a former pledge coordinator for United Way of Fairfield County.

• West Hartford native Jared Kotler, founder of the Connecticut Scoreboard Podcast, has announced a new partnership with UConn quarterback Joe Fagnano. As part of this exclusive collaboration, Fagnano will appear regularly on the podcast throughout the 2025 season, giving listeners an inside look at the team’s season from the quarterback’s perspective. From postgame thoughts to behind-the-scenes insights and personal reflections, fans can expect authentic conversations and first-hand updates directly from one of the team’s key leaders. “Joe’s experience, leadership, and voice make him a perfect addition to the show this season,” said Kotler. “I’m excited to give fans a closer look at the season through Joe’s eyes and help them connect with the team in a personal and authentic way.” The Connecticut Scoreboard Podcast features in-depth conversations around the state’s top sports stories and athletes. UConn football begins the season with a home game against Central Connecticut State University on Saturday, Aug. 30, at Rentschler Field at 2 p.m. Listeners can tune into new episodes on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major platforms. Follow @CTScoreboardPod on social media for the latest updates and episode drops.

• West Hartford residents have teamed up to help launch a new vintage co-op in Forestville. The Vintage Co-Op, a curated multi-vendor antique and creative space located in the Forestville neighborhood of Bristol, celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, Aug. 16. The shop is owned by Bristol resident Todd Mangiafico, who has worked closely with West Hartford residents Krista Schroth and Shah Hines to bring his vision to life. Together, they’ve transformed the space into a community-focused vintage market featuring handpicked treasures, antiques, and creative goods from a range of local vendors.

 Krista shared a few photos of the space, which looks beautiful.

• The Women’s Business Development Council began taking applications for its Ignite Grant on Aug. 5, offering grants of up to $10,000 to qualified women-owned small businesses in Connecticut, and you can find the direct link here: Ignite – WBDC. The grants will be awarded for clearly defined projects that will have a measurable impact on the business, its growth and profitability, and cannot be used towards operating expenses (e.g. inventory, marketing expenses, salaries), real estate improvements (e.g. construction costs), reimbursement for past purchases or debt repayment. According to the website, applicants are required to have invested at least $2,500 into their business in the last 12 months, unless located in a distressed municipality. Many West Hartford businesses are among the previous grant award winners.

• Today’s sad news is the closing of the Green Teahouse location at Westfarms. Thankfully it’s not completely sad news because they are continuing their online business. The following is a message shared by Green Teahouse founder Ting Luo: “Dear local tea friends- It is with many mixed emotions that we announce to you the closing of our brick-and mortar store at the Westfarms Mall in Farmington, Ct. As this month marks our 16th year of laboring on the storefront level, I believe it is the appropriate time to shift our main focus to the online portion of the business. We are so glad that we can still bring you the same teas that you love through our online website, as well as our Amazon and TikTok shops. Though we will miss seeing your face, thankfully we can still keep in touch through all of our Social Media sites. We are grateful that The Green Teahouse can continue its journey, through the help of your kind support and friendship over the years. Thank you for being a part of The Green Teahouse history-and future!” I have so appreciated getting to know Ting Luo and store manager Laura Neves, and wish them the best of luck.

• Click here to listen to the most recent episode of the On The Scene podcast, where hosts Tom Hickey and Bob Carr sit down with Ilana Bernstein from the Community Renewal Team (CRT), Connectocut’s largest nonprofit human services organization.

• ICYMI, Max Zeller Furs has announced plans to relocate across the street, and has already vacated their space at 976 Farmington Avenue in advance of the build-out of Market Hospitality Group’s new mixed-use development. Read the complete story here.
• Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and other officials last week celebrated Brownfield grants that will support development of The Jayden and expansion of Playhouse on Park. Click here for the details.
• Congrats to the organizations that have been awarded West Hartford Greater Together Community Fund grants.

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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