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

Effie’s Place Restaurant on Park Road. Photo by Joy Taylor

By Ronni Newton

‘Tis the season – officially!

Now that all of the Thanksgiving leftovers have been eaten, frozen, or sent home with houseguests, and now that everyone has survived Gray Thursday, Black Friday, and Small Business Saturday, it’s time for the normal hustle and bustle of preparation for Christmas and Hanukkah. (I know, today is Cyber Monday, but you don’t need any more electronic reminders of that.)

We hope you’ll be supporting West Hartford businesses – large and small – throughout this season of giving. Many of our local merchants are also giving back to community organizations, and if you have any information about charitable giving, please add it to the comments section below.

• Effie’s Place, located at 91 Park Rd. in West Hartford, is one of the businesses giving back during this holiday season. They are having a Toys for Tots drive on Tuesday, Dec. 9. According to Effie’s owner Johnny Paindiris, radio personality Brad Davis will also be broadcasting his show from the restaurant that day. Paindiris also wants to be sure people know that Effie’s homemade cakes, pies, and cookies are available for purchase for holiday parties or other occasions. (Personally, I love “homemade” when someone else bakes it!)
• There will be lots of festive holiday action in West Hartford this week. The Holiday Stroll is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 4, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. in West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in attendance taking requests, and many businesses will have special promotions. There will be singing, dancing, ballet, horsedrawn carriage rides, gingerbread houses, free food samples, and even marshmallow roasting.
• The property on the southwest corner of New Park and Flatbush was severely damaged by a fire during the blizzard that hit the West Hartford area on Feb. 8, 2013. The remaining properties, Faxon Engineering and two duplexes, will be torn down, and will soon be replaced by a new Cumberland Farms convenience store and gas station, according to Director of Community Services Mark McGovern.
• Vinted Wine Bar & Kitchen, 63 Memorial Rd. in West Hartford’s Blue Back Square has just received a four-and-a-half star glowing review from Spencer Caldwell in the most recent issue of Hartford Magazine. “I found much of [Chef Michael] Presnal’s modern American tapas menu to be as creative and sybaritic as the foie heaven’s sake. Reinterpretations of classics with clever wordplay seemed a menu staple. And the vast majority of it worked,” wrote Caldwell. Click here to read the full review.
• Imagine Studio is a new creative and performing arts studio for children located at 97 South St. in West Hartford. It was started by West Hartford mom Karla Kress-Boyle, and according to its website, Imagine Studio is focused “on building imagination and self confidence” thorough dance, art, music, yoga, and theater. There are a variety of programs and registration options, including drop-in play groups. Imagine Studio is even hosting Elsa and Anna’s Royal Slumber Party” on Dec. 13 – sure to be a hit with the “Frozen”-obsessed set.

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

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