West Hartford Business Buzz: December 23, 2024

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Sweet Bear Coffee is a new West Hartford-based business that gives a large percentage of proceeds to charity. Courtesy image

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

Twas the Monday before Christmas and all through my house, the creatures were definitely stirring (but not cookie batter – I prefer cooking and leave the baking to others), and wrapping, and cleaning up from the first round of gift exchange with our future daughter-in-law over the weekend. She’s a nurse at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, and has to work on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so we had an early celebration.

I’m finishing up this column earlier than usual on Sunday, too, because we have holiday parties on Sunday afternoon and evening – the last two of what has been a very busy season full of lots of wonderful gatherings!

Our schedule was so busy last week that there was no opportunity for restaurant dining – even at lunchtime. But I’ve included some photos of the beautiful spread that Aviva offered at the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce’s holiday party on Thursday night.

Ted and I attended the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Holiday party at Aviva. Photo credit: Tony Sisti

West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Holiday party at Aviva. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Holiday party at Aviva. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Holiday party at Aviva. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Holiday party at Aviva. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Chamber of Commerce Holiday party at Aviva. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

I know people enjoy seeing photos of Millie – and here’s funny one! She’s had a little odor issue, and we took her to the self-service dog washing facility at Choice Pet. Her expression says it all! (No dog or person was injured in the taking of this photo.)

Millie getting a bath. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

A few housekeeping notes: This is the last Business Buzz column of the year. I am not planning on writing a column for Dec. 30, but there will be a newsletter with other articles on that day. Because Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are on Wednesdays, we will have just two newsletters this week (today and Friday) and next week (Monday, Dec. 30 and Friday, Jan. 3).

Any breaking new will of course be covered, and look for a “top stories” of 2024 article coming soon, too.

We-Ha.com is a small, locally-owned business. The site is primarily advertiser supported and we remain committed to providing our content without a paywall. And while I try to personally stay away from that side of the business, I firmly believe that an ad on We-Ha.com is one of the best ways to get exposure in the local market (there are a lot of eyeballs on the site, and the ads appear on all pages).

Because it’s tough to survive on the advertiser-supported model, three years ago we added a way for readers to provide direct support for our mission, and we thank those who have already contributed through PressPatron.com. At the bottom of this article, and at the bottom of every article (or in the top righthand corner of the home page), there is a blue “Become a Supporter” button. If you are able and so inclined, we welcome your support.

We’ve been getting quite a few comments directly on articles lately that do not include full names. We will not approve a comment unless you provide your full, actual name. I’ve sent out a lot of email reminders lately to those who attempt to post their comment with just a first name or made-up name.

Final housekeeping note: There are trash and recycling delays for those in the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday collection days, and other schedule changes at town facilities, too. You can find those listed here.

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 bobc.weha@gmail.com. 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 editorial@we-ha.com.

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Here’s this week’s Buzz:

Cristina Savin holds her son, the inspiration for Sweet Bear Coffee. Courtesy photo

  • I love to begin my day with coffee, and for the second week in a row I am very happy to highlight some positive coffee-related news in this column! West Hartford resident Cristina Savin has launched a new coffee business – Sweet Bear Coffee Company – and it’s a business with a philanthropic mission, too. “Bear” is Savin’s nickname for one of her three children, her now 4-year-old son who was born with a rare genetic disorder called Weiss-Kruszka Syndrome, that according to Savin afflicts only about 100 people in the world. They received the diagnosis in 2021, when he was 1, and Savin said she spent the next three years learning about the condition and searching for the best possible medical care. “The days were long, and coffee and love were the fuel that kept me going,” Savin wrote in the “Our Story” section of her website. Sweet Bear was named in honor of her son, and its mission is support nonprofit organizations that work to better the lives of people with disabilities. Sweet Bear will donate 25% of profits to various organizations, and Savin said she plans to keep the business direct-to-consumer in the near term in order to maximize the funds that can be donated. “The goal is to help charities as much as possible,” she said. The idea for the business has been brewing since the spring, she said, and the launch was in early October. The coffee, available in light, medium, dark, and espresso blends that Savin selected, is 100% organic and fair trade, sourced from Central America and South America. The decaf is produced through a water process, without chemicals. “It’s all organic, all clean and fair trade. That’s really important to me,” Savin said. Supporting local businesses is also a goal, and Savin said she’s an art lover and used a local artist to create the eye-catching design for the Sweet Bear logo. The story of the business’ inspiration appears on the back of the bags, too. Order through the website, and they ship anywhere in the country, directly from the Connecticut roaster that they use, with the product arriving in about three or four days. (Mine should arrive today, and I’m looking forward to sampling it brewed in the new coffeemaker that Sam and Kate gave us this weekend!) If the Savin name sounds familiar, many in the community may know Cristina’s husband, Robert Savin, owner of Savin Brands (based in East Hartford) which owns and operates the Wings Over store in West Hartford as well as other local restaurants. As for her the prognosis of her son who is Sweet Bear’s namesake, Savin said they really don’t know what his life will ultimately be like with Weiss-Kruszka Syndrome, but right now he’s making great progress, she said.

Sweet Bear Coffee is a new West Hartford-based business that gives a large percentage of proceeds to charity. Courtesy image

Fine Fettle plans to open at 1232 Farmington Avenue in the former Liberty Bank branch space. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

  • Just Salad is getting very close to opening at 2538 Albany Avenue in Bishops Corner. I did have a peek inside late last week – and it looks great, with a very cool mural on one wall – but they wouldn’t authorize publication of any photos yet. The grand opening date is not yet published, but it should be just a few weeks out.

Just Salad is getting close to completion at 2538 Albany Avenue in Bishops Corner. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

  • I heard back from my contact about the status of Sally’s Apizza opening inside the Jordan’s Furniture at Westfarms. “Construction will be substantially complete before Christmas and we will open shortly afterwards. We have begun hiring and training people and the opening is imminent,” was the statement shared by spokesperson Jessica Rosen Klein. You can also keep track of the opening plans on the Sally’s Apizza Instagram (@sallysapizza).

Build-out underway at Sally’s Apizza at Westfarms. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

  • One of the most-asked questions continues to be the status of Park Lane Pizza. I have stopped by a few times over the last week or two, hoping to run into the owner or a contractor, but without luck. Members of the community have shared various updates and the reasons for the continued delay, but I have not been able to verify that information directly. The lights were on a few nights ago when I was picking something up next door at Hall’s, so here’s a look at the dining area from the sidewalk. It looks to be in pretty good shape. The sign on the South Quaker Lane side is still in disrepair though.

Park Lane Pizza’s dining room lights were on, and you can see the inside looks to be complete. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

  • Congratulations to Herba Acupuncture, which had a ribbon cutting with the Chamber of Commerce and town officials earlier this month. Located at 12 North Main Street, Suite 110, according to the Chamber, “Herba Acupuncture is dedicated to enhancing patients’ vitality and wellness through individualized acupuncture treatments and holistic care, grounded in Traditional Chinese philosophies and techniques. Together with knowledge, compassion and understanding, they are committed to rejuvenating thier patients’ bodies and minds while maintaining affordable prices and consistency of professional conduct and care.” They specialize in treatment for headaches/migraines, orthopedic issues, nutrition and digestion, mental health, and more. Maura Emerick and Karolina Zagaja are the owners and practitioners, and you can find out more on their website.

Herba Acupuncture ribbon cutting. Courtesy of West Hartford Chamber of Commerce

  • Congratulations to the Seniors Job Bank on the celebration of their milestone 50th anniversary, which was celebrated last week at West Hartford Town Hall. The celebration was also the opportunity to honor Jim Doran, a long-time Board member whose support and leadership were instrumental in resurrecting the SJB after a short hiatus in operations about 15 years ago. I’ve got so many personal connections to the SJB, because not only do Jim Doran and fellow Board member Bernie Weiss live right up the street from me, but Ted’s mom (Pat Newton) was the organization’s original executive director when it was created in 1974. She was in her mid-30s at the time – far from being a senior – but remained in her role until she retired in 2005. We’ve used the SJB for many jobs around our house (painting, finishing our basement, replacing a pane in a French door that my son cracked by hitting it with his head …), and I also credit having a mother-in-law who worked at Town Hall for my initial introduction to town leaders when we moved here in the late 1990s. To read more about what the Seniors Job Bank does, visit their website.

From left: Seniors Job Bank Board members Lester Primus, Bernie Weiss, and Jim Doran. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

  • Solar Insure has ranked West Hartford No. 70 on their list of 120 “most coveted sustainable suburbs” in the country chosen through a nationwide survey of more than 3,000 participants. The description of West Hartford states: “This suburb of Hartford is known for its commitment to sustainability, with extensive green spaces, parks, and a walkable town center that reduces car dependency. West Hartford promotes green building practices, recycling programs, and community events focused on environmental awareness. The town’s support for local food production through farmers’ markets and community gardens fosters a strong sense of eco-friendly community.” Two other towns (No. 26 Fairfield and No. 76 Glastonbury) also made the list, which is topped by Coral Gables, Florida. Solar Insure stated in a press release: “As eco-conscious living becomes a growing priority for Americans, many are finding innovative ways to embrace sustainability – from adopting solar energy and eco-friendly transportation to investing in sustainable landscaping. However, some places are better suited for green living than others. While studies often focus on the greenest cities, Solar Insure, a solar and battery warranty provider, turned its attention to the suburbs – the epicenter of residential life – to uncover where sustainable lifestyles truly flourish.”

Earth Day Family Festival. April 20, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

  • Have you noticed the new features on We-Ha.com? I’ve mentioned the merchandise available in our online store (too late for Christmas or Hanukkah delivery, but you can still purchase it at any time), but we also games that you can play online (click here) either against others or a bot, and we also have classified advertising options available (find or post classifieds here).

Online games are now available on We-Ha.com. Screenshot

On the Scene podcast logo

  • ICYMI, an allocation for Playhouse on Park was approved on Friday by the State Bond Commission, and those funds will be used to hopefully jumpstart a really exciting expansion and update project. I got a backstage tour of the existing theater and the space they want to expand into, and you can find the complete story here.
  • The public hearing with the Town Council on the application for Heritage Park at 1800 Asylum (western portion of the former UConn campus) will be held on Feb. 11. Click here for the details.
  • ICYMI, here’s how the West Hartford Town Council appropriated the remaining ARPA funds.
  • This isn’t business news, but a big story last week was the long-awaited report from Inspector General Robert Devlin about the deadly use of force by a West Hartford Police officer in August 2023. The story has been updated with comment from the plaintiff’s attorney in a related civil case. Click here for the complete story.

Remember, if you have any business news to share, add it in the comments section below or email Ronni Newton at editorial@we-ha.com.

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