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 looked back at my column for this same December week last year – and I really could copy much of it almost word-for-word since I am at the same exact place in holiday preparations, and even did the same exact thing on Saturday this year as I did last year!

At noon on Saturday, we were at the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, for the second year in a row participating in  Wreaths Across America – a really meaningful holiday experience and a tradition we would like to continue. Ted and I attended this event for the first time last year with my sister and her boyfriend and his family, and it was heartwarming to see hundreds of volunteers of all ages show up on a frosty cold morning to lay wreaths on the graves of veterans. The cemetery looked starkly beautiful after the wreaths were in place. My dad is buried at the Veterans Cemetery in Lake Worth, Florida, and I hope volunteers place wreaths there as well.

We warmed up with a great lunch afterwards – this year at Tate’s in Middletown – and Saturday night attended the same holiday party as we did last year on the second Saturday of December last year!

Not following last year’s schedule, during this past week we saw “Christmas on the Rocks” at TheaterWorks – such a fun and entertaining show!

And on Friday night, Ted and I had dinner at the new Coracora in Blue Back Square. The food, service, and atmosphere were amazing – and you would never know it was only the third night of the soft opening.

Since I had already written an article – and interviewed COO and co-owner Grecia Ludena prior to the opening – I arrived planning to order Grecia’s favorite menu item as an appetizer. The Croquetas de Aji de Gallina were as delicious as she had described them, the chicken filling bursting with the flavor of the peppers. Ted ordered the Causa Limeña as an appetizer (I couldn’t eat it because it included avocado (I am allergic), but he loved it.

Our main dishes were the Arroz con Pato (a recommended dish highlighted in my article that included duck, rice in a cilantro sauce, chalaquita, fried egg, and huancaina), and Seco de Tira (slow-braised short rib paired with a golden, crispy combination of rice and beans).

While I generally drink wine or beer, Ted is a more adventurous drinker and we couldn’t resist trying some of the new signature cocktails – the Cora Punch and Lucuma. Thumbs up for both!

I also had to have a photo of James (inspired by Coracora’s James Beard finalist and multiple semi-finalist recognition) – the llama who graces the entryway of the new restaurant at 51 Isham Road in Blue Back Square. It’s not the same llama as the one in the original location, who remains there as that location (162 Shield Street) has transitioned to take-out and fast casual only.

More photos of the new restaurant are at the end of this column!

We’ve got a number of events this coming week as well – and lots more eating to do –  but I’m still trying hard to keep up with my exercise routine and my weekly (extremely challenging) training sessions with Jon Camacho at The Lift Effect!

We will have our regular schedule of newsletters this week, but the following two weeks we will only send out two newsletters each week. I’ll provide the firm schedule in next week’s column, which will be the last Business Buzz of the year because as of now I am not planning a column for Dec. 29.

Although this Sunday very much feels and looks like winter (late Sunday night I’m still thawing out from covering Fire on Ice earlier in the evening), I will save my commentary about winter when I am writing my column next Sunday since it officially arrives on Dec. 21 at 10:03 a.m.

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].

**************************************************

Here’s this week’s Buzz:

• West Hartford had a great showing at the Connecticut Restaurant Association’s CRAZIES Awards event celebrated last Monday, Dec. 8, at Foxwoods! There were more than 20,000 online public votes cast, and the input of a panel of media experts, that resulted in the 21 awards presented Monday night. Congratulations to Le Mazet (975 Farmington Avenue) named Restaurant of the Year for Hartford County, and Ashley Flagg, executive chef and co-owner of The Laurel, (1046 New Britain Avenue) who was named Chef of the Year! “I am very appreciative of the Chef of the Year award,” Flagg said. “This year has brought a lot of personal growth, as I have stepped into the role of owner. So receiving this award now is especially meaningful to myself and my team. I am working everyday to be a better chef and person in general for my staff and loved ones (my staff are of course also my loved ones),” she said. “We are so excited that Le Mazet was named Best Restaurant in Hartford County at the CRAZIES Awards. Merci to the Connecticut Restaurant Association and to every single person who voted for us,” said Jared Cohen, owner of Le Mazet. In 2024, Le Mazet was a finalist for Newcomer of the Year. “To our regulars, our guests, our neighbors, our staff, and our chefs, this win feels like a true community celebration. We cannot wait to continue bringing the warmth and charm of the French countryside to this community,” he said. While Joey Cusano has departed as executive chef at Le Mazet (he’s working to open his own restaurant, Mozz & Co., on Raymond Road), Adrian Arden has taken over as head chef after working for Cusano over the past year. “The 7th Anniversary of the CRAZIES Awards stands as another milestone moment for our association, for our industry, and for the tens of thousands of Connecticut residents whose livelihoods are supported by hospitality,” said Connecticut Restaurant Association President & CEO Scott Dolch in a statement. “The excitement and energy of bringing together 1,500 industry professionals once again highlighted the strength and resilience of Connecticut’s restaurant and hospitality community – an economic force that represents nearly 10 percent of all jobs in our state. The CRAZIES continues to shine a spotlight on the remarkable talent, passion, and dedication that drive our industry forward, and we look forward to elevating this celebration year after year as we encourage everyone in hospitality to be part of this annual tradition.” Both Le Mazet and The Laurel have holiday season specials that can be found on their websites.

• I had a peek inside the front door on Wednesday (and watched as they were affixing signage to the door), and was so excited to hear from one of the owners of Paris Baguette on Friday with the news that many of us have been eagerly awaiting! They have completed all but one of their inspections with the town, and the soft opening in Corbin’s Corner (between Nothing Bundt Cakes and JCrew Outlet) is planned for Friday, Dec. 19 (will be open 6 a.m.-9:30 p.m.) “Paris Baguette is finally coming to Connecticut!” he told me in a text. “After winning hearts across NYC and beyond, the nation’s most loved bakery café is opening its first CT location on Friday, December 19th. Get ready for fresh pastries, artisan breads, handcrafted cakes, and the iconic Paris Baguette experience. Croissants, cakes, coffee… it’s all happening! 🥐☕🎉 Fresh. French. Finally here.” In our previous conversation, the owner told me that there will be seating inside for roughly 48 people, and they will have free WiFi and welcome students and those looking to hold meetings or just have a cozy spot in which to work. The West Hartford location will be the first in the state, and they will also open a location in Cheshire early next year. You can find menu online (click here), and I will definitely be ready to sample a variety of the offerings and report back as soon as they open (maybe a little later than 6 a.m., but definitely that morning). Follow Paris Baguette on social media (@parisbaguetteus on Facebook and parisbaguette_usa on Instagram) for more information.

• 4Ever Vintage RRR has expanded – not only to the space next door at 485 New Park Avenue, but the curated vintage fashion boutique also has expanded their operations into a formerly vacant space in their building! Owner Ever Melo, who opened his vintage shop at 485 New Park earlier this year, said that two weeks ago he turned the space adjacent to the shop, which had been used for storage and his workshop, into a men’s shop. “It’s something I always wanted to do in terms of fashion,” he told me when I stopped by on Friday. And while the items in the store are menswear, he said they really work for both genders – including women who are looking for pleated pants and oversized blazers. And … Melo has also opened the The Sun Room. Located on the second floor of 485 New Park, the former yoga studio and photography studio is now available as rental space for events, as well as for photo shoots, artists, yoga classes, or anyone looking to rent a light-filled room. There’s an available coat room/changing room, and a restroom, Bose speakers, WiFi, and six tables and Chiavari chairs available for use by those hosting events. For more information about The Sun Room, follow on Instagram at @thesunroom485. 4Ever Vintage is open Fridays (11 a.m.-4 p.m.), Saturdays (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)., and Sundays (11 a.m.-5 p.m.)

• There’s finally been great visible progress on the Rockledge Golf Club driving range! According to town officials, it should be ready to open by the end of January. Note that Rockledge (and Buena Vista) are both closed for golf but open for winter recreation, and you can find those details here.

• There’s lots of great news from Westfarms, including a few recent openings! FP Movement (next to the Free People store on the upper level of the Nordstrom wing) which is Free People’s activewear line, described on their website as being born out of the understanding that “so many of you (as well as our Free People staff) spend your days and nights in pursuit of fitness, wellness, happiness. FP Movement was born of that endeavor, a philosophy that later incorporated beauty + wellness to provide additional support for those looking to achieve balance both inside and out.” HobbyTown Toys is now open on the lower level (California Pizza Kitchen wing), and features (according to the Westfarms website) “great selection of toys and games including, dolls, arts and crafts kits, action figures, building & science kits, puzzles, rockets, kites, sporting goods and much more. Major brands include Lego, Mattel/Barbie, Hasbro/Nerf, Melissa & Doug, Crayola & Pokemon. For Hobbyists the store has radio control cars, trucks, boats, planes, helicopters & drones, model trains, slot cars; plastic, metal & wood models, paints, tools, collectible cards and much more.” And, on the lower level near JCPenney, “step into the vault of Xtreme Concepts, where every stride embodies a fusion of style, culture, and innovation. As passionate purveyors of the latest sneaker trends and products, we’re dedicated to fueling the ever-evolving sneaker culture. From iconic classes to cutting edge new releases, we proudly showcase the hottest offerings from top brands like Nike, Adidas, Jordan, and more.” Finally, Santa at Westfarms shares there are just 10 days left until Christmas! “There’s still time! For last-minute shoppers use the Westfarms app to map your route to your store and to see what’s for sale before you show. Santa will be at Westfarms until December 24th at 6 PM,” shared spokesperson Amanda Sirica.

• On Wednesday, Dec. 10, the Town of West Hartford recognized 104 employees for their milestone years of service ranging from 5 to 45 years! Dean Houle of Elmwood Community Center has the longest tenure, and celebrated 45 years of service this year. In 2025, the town welcomed 260 new employees: 20 full-time, 22 part-time, 183 seasonal, and 35 election workers. Nine employees retired. Congratulations to all!

• Chick-fil-A restaurants across Greater Hartford raised $80,090 for Connecticut Children’s and Shriners Children’s through their month-long Cookies for Kids fundraiser in November – a community effort inspired by a local story and supported by thousands of guests. Local Chick-fil-A Owner-Operators presented the donations during a check presentation on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at Chick-fil-A West Hartford — the restaurant led by Owner-Operator Daryl Jackson, who teamed with other Chick-fil-A Operators to launch this fundraiser four years ago after his own family’s experience at Connecticut Children’s. Of the funds raised through cookies sales, $71,749 was raised at Connecticut locations and will benefit the Greatest Need Children’s Fund, which ensures every child receives expert pediatric care delivered with compassion at Connecticut Children’s.

• While the store isn’t yet open, West Hartford’s new toy store, The Toy Shop, has a sign in the window of the future brick and mortar location reminding people they can shop locally for toys and games this holiday season. Below that is the photo I took of the owners at the West Hartford Holiday Stroll on Dec. 4, and they are very excited about the opening in early 2026.

• The Max Cares Foundation is holding their annual Max Roast for the Holidays campaign. “This annual event raises funds to allow the Max Cares Foundation, Inc. to provide quality meals during the holidays to those most in need who live in the Greater Hartford & Greater Springfield areas. Through donations given by guests at Max Hospitality locations and online at the Max Cares Foundation website, we are able to provide hundreds of people in our community an unforgettable meal,” states a notice on the website. There are three Max restaurants in West Hartford – Max’s Oyster Bar, Max Burger, and Savoy.

• The space at 74-B Park Road had been the temporary location for Mindful Transformations while their location on Talcott Notch Road in Farmington was being built out, but I just noticed a new sign. It’s now the office of commercial real estate business VC Property Group.

• Click here to listen to the latest episode of On The Scene with podcast hosts Tom Hickey and Bob Carr sit down with Barbara Karsky of BK & Company for an inspiring conversation about fashion, community, and the ever-evolving life of West Hartford Center. Barbara shares the real challenges local retailers faced during construction, how customer habits shape business success, and why the center remains vibrant and resilient.

• 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].

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.