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

Happy Monday – 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 Bridget Bronsdon, Kaily Martinez, and Paul Palmer for all their extra contributions over the past few weeks!

My two weeks on Nantucket included a very exciting event: my son, Sam, got engaged to his long-time girlfriend, Kate Novak! Although the proposal itself was private, our immediate family and her entire family (parents, grandparents, and all four of her siblings and their significant others and her nephew) were all at our house and what was to be our annual cornhole tournament turned into quite the celebration!

Sam and Kate have known each other pretty much their whole lives – and none of us can remember what year our families met on the beach on Nantucket, but we think it was when both of them were a year old. We started talking to a family that was playing in the sand, and had two little boys around Katie’s age, and a baby around Sam’s age, and the dad was wearing a Whaler’s shirt and (we think) a Simsbury High School baseball cap. Kate grew up in Pennsylvania, but her dad, Steve Novak, grew up in Simsbury. He also has a major connection to West Hartford because his dad (also named Stephen Novak) was West Hartford’s Human Resources director for many years. The friendship between our families has blossomed over the years, and has included spending time together other than a week or two of time overlapping at the beach and attending family celebrations – and Sam and Kate’s friendship has certainly more than blossomed over the past several years! We are so excited and full of joy, and happy to have Kate as an official member of our family!

Millie also had a great vacation, and these two photos of her below also show the incredible force of nature. The top photo was off the beach on Saturday morning, with the high seas from Ernesto pounding the south shore beaches with enormous waves and dangerous rip tides. The nice wide beach in the bottom photo was taken in about the same location, a few days earlier.

We ate way too much food on vacation, but did plenty of running, biking, and beach walking as well. Most of our dining was at home (or picnic lunches), but we did enjoy a delicious dinner at The Nantucket Tap Room at the Jared Coffin House – and the blueberry muffin from the Sconset Cafe was a well-earned treat on a long bike ride. Also thank you to Katie and Matt for making a delicious dinner for us – and the vodka sauce was amazing!

Summer is definitely waning, and this week is the last full week of vacation for West Hartford Public Schools students and fall sports are already getting underway. But I am hoping for continued summery weather!

Today’s column remains a bit leaner than usual since we are in the final lull before the “return to reality” time of year when many people are either on vacation or transporting kids back to college. There are many new West Hartford businesses planning openings very soon though, and I’m so excited about the news we will be able to share in this column in the coming weeks.

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].

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:

• Sonny Chen purchased the building at 766 Farmington Avenue that formerly housed Anna’s Nail Perfection back in the fall of 2021, and in the next week or so, it will officially open as the new location for Black Bamboo! Chen has been overseeing extensive updates to the interior and exterior of the space, which is roughly double the size of his existing restaurant just down the road at 844 Farmington Avenue. While the current location is primarily take-out, the new space has seating inside for about 25 people – both along the windows (which open out) and at high-top and low-top tables that are more accessible to customers. There’s also a TV – which he said will likely be tuned to sports. A patio for outdoor dining has been approved by the town, and will seat 26 people, and Chen is hoping that it will be ready in time for this season. The patio will be on the Vanderbilt Road side of the restaurant – a “backyard feel” he said, with a quiet and more private outdoor dining enclave than most of the spaces in town which are along busy sidewalks or roadways. Another update to Black Bamboo’s operation is that they now have a full liquor license, and will be serving beer on tap (Sapporo, a local beer, and a seasonal brew), beer by the bottle, wine, sake, soju, and cocktails including spiked seltzer and vodka drinks. “We do our own,” Chen said about Black Bamboo’s delivery business, which has always been robust, and they are expanding that to include delivery by DoorDash and Uber Eats, and will be able to include alcoholic beverages with meal delivery. Because of the expanded kitchen, Chen said he had space for an oven, and the one he purchased, which will be used for salmon and other dishes, was recommended by his friend, Billy Grant. The hood is 30 feet long, and covers multiple woks which are nearly ready for use, and another appliance which is used for roasting ribs. The renovated basement has tons of storage space, an office, and a bathroom, and Chen said is approved by the town as a prep kitchen, although that’s not the plan as of now. The renovations were quite an investment, he said, but added, “I own it,” which is different from his other location which was leased. Chen said he is very thankful to designer Lisa Ludwig for providing vision for the space – including the wood treatments on the wall, wallpaper, and the very cool restroom on the main level. There are two apartments above Black Bamboo – rented to professors – and those have been updated as well. The entire exterior will be stucco once the work is complete, Chen said. He plans to hire a few more staff members to accommodate the expected increase in people eating at the restaurant, but will maintain the current hours of 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon-9 p.m. Sunday. The old location will close the day the new one has its soft opening, and Chen said they will have a “big grand opening” once things are settled. I’ve been a loyal Black Bamboo customer since they opened, and will definitely have updates forthcoming!

• A reader notified me recently that the AT&T Mobily store at 56 LaSalle Road had closed, and when I stopped by to verify that and take a photo on Sunday there was a posted building permit in the window. It appears from that notice, and building permits I found online, that H&R Block, which currently has an office a few doors down at 60 LaSalle Road, will be moving into the 56 LaSalle Road space.

• Gov. Ned Lamont has announced that Connecticut will hold its annual Sales Tax-Free Week from Sunday, Aug. 18, to Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. During the week-long sales tax holiday, retail purchases of most items of clothing and footwear priced under $100 will be exempt from sales tax. The exemption applies to each item – not the total purchase. “This year’s tax-free holiday lands a little earlier to give families a head start for the back-to-school season, which will be here before we know it,” the governor said in the news release. “As always, I encourage shoppers to take the time to stop by some of Connecticut’s local businesses and support our amazing small business community.” Also. in the news release, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said,  “Sales Tax-Free Week is a great opportunity for Connecticut families to get back-to-school ready and save money at the same time. Parents and caregivers can save on needed clothing and everyday footwear items to help their kids kick off the school year with confidence. I hope our residents will take advantage of these savings and shop at their local small businesses, allowing those dollars to be reinvested in their communities.” Department of Revenue Services Commissioner Mark Boughton said, “Sales Tax-Free Week is a great way for Connecticut residents to save some cash. In fact, many retailers also choose to offer additional discounts, resulting in even more savings. I encourage folks to go out there and support local businesses.” For more details on Sales Tax-Free Week, including a list of individual items that are exempt or taxable, visit the webpage on the state website.

• Congratulations to West Hartford native and Conard High School graduate and lacrosse star Kate Shaffer, who has been named director of women’s lacrosse operations at UConn, women’s lacrosse head coach Katie Woods announced on Friday. According to the announcement, Shaffer returns to the Huskies after one of the most decorated careers in program history. In her final season as a graduate student in 2024, Shaffer recorded at least one goal in all 18 games, with a team-high 48 goals and 73 points overall. Shaffer scored in 24 straight games, notching a goal in every game from April 19, 2023, to May 4, 2024. In 2024, Shaffer was named to the IWLCA Northeast Region Second Team and the IWLCA Senior All-Star Game. Shaffer secured recognition from the BIG EAST as well, being named to the BIG EAST All-Tournament Team, and a unanimous All BIG-EAST first team selection. Off the field, Shaffer was named to the BIG EAST All-Academic Team four years in a row (2020-2024). Shaffer finished her UConn playing career third in program history with 171 goals, fifth in assists with 74, tied for third in points with 245, fourth in shots with 381, and played in 69 games, which ranks third for the Huskies all-time. “We’re excited to have Kate back in the program as our Director of Operations. She brings a great work ethic, passion, and commitment to our program which will be crucial in this role,” Woods said.

• The Aurora Women and Girls Foundation has announced that West Hartford resident Dr. Kyra Dorsey, a chemical engineer and founder/CEO of a nonwovens industry consulting firm based in West Hartford, and a member of Aurora’s Board of Directors, is serving as chair of the 2024 Luminary Celebration, the joyful annual fundraiser benefiting Aurora’s research and College Success programs. The event will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 at the Bushnell in Hartford; click here to register. “I am truly honored to chair this year’s Luminary Celebration,” said Dorsey. “Supporting women and girls through Aurora is deeply meaningful to me because I believe in the power of community and opportunity to transform lives. Aurora’s work creates pathways for success, and I am excited to help shine a light on the incredible impact we can all make together.” Aurora Executive Director Jennifer Steadman said,“We are so excited to celebrate all of the luminaries in our community – the people who create opportunities for women and girls to shine, and the inspiring women who are empowered by that support.”

• Alert from the Town of West Hartford: Due to a scheduling conflict, Public Works will not have office hours from Monday, Aug. 19, through Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Office hours and permit pick-up will resume during the week of Aug. 26, 2024. Permits can be purchased and/or picked up in person Wednesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. The Yard Waste & Recycling Center will remain open with regular hours of operation, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (last car in by 2:45 p.m.), and Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon (last car in by 11:45 am). The facility is closed on major holidays.

• Click here to listen to the latest installment of the “On the Scene” podcast, where Tom Hickey and Bob Carr talk with talk with Diabetes Coach David Oliver from Diabetes Plus With Dave.

• As they prepare to vacate their current warehouse space at 635 New Park Avenue, Journey Home is holding a Warehouse Tag Sale on Tuesday, Aug. 20, from noon to 3 p.m. Items available for sale will include art/decor, kitchen items, sheets, quilts and blankets, appliances, ceramics, items for DIYers, furniture, table linens, and more. They are also collecting items, and need bath towels, bathmats, kitchen towels and potholders, and metal shelving racks. If you are bringing racks, Journey Home asks that you email [email protected] with photos in advance.

• The Artisan Vapor store at 27 LaSalle Road has closed its doors. A sign on the door notes that the store has relocated to Cromwell (77 Berlin Road, #4) and Newington (2545 Berlin Turnpike). The 857 square foot space is listed as available for lease on Loopnet.

• ICYMI, Bridget Bronsdon attended the Chamber of Commerce’s ribbon cutting for Gameday Men’s Health last week. The complete story can be found here.
• At its most recent meeting on Aug. 6, the Town Council approved requested changes to the Special Development District covering Corbin’s Corner to pave the way for the entertainment/restaurant business Level99 to open a venue in The Corbin Collection. I’ve been in regular touch with the founder/owner of the business, and am awaiting word that the lease has been signed before sharing further details. Click here to read the article.
• Also ICYMI, the wetlands permit was approved for 1800 Asylum Avenue, the western portion of the former UConn campus. Complete details can be found here.

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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