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

By Ronni Newton

It’s the holiday season …

My house is only partially-decorated for Christmas (my husband put up the outdoor lights and window candles and I did manage to hang some wreaths), but I really got into the spirit while covering the Holiday Stroll on Friday night. What a fun and festive evening it was – and a great way for area merchants to thank their customers and supporters!

The Blue Back Square Mitten Run (I reported on it rather than running) was also a festive winter event, and it there were so many people decked out in great costumes. And I loved that they handed out mittens rather than t-shirts with race registration, and that mittens and other winter accessories were collected.

Life does get crazy around the holidays, but I am hoping that I can take my own advice and take plenty of deep breaths (note to my sister – stop laughing, I’m being serious), spend time outside in the crisp air, enjoy the festive decorations, perform random acts of kindness, and really enjoy all of the wonders of the holiday season.

If you have tips about businesses opening or closing, or doing something worth sharing, please provide that information in the comments or email Ronni Newton at [email protected].

Here’s this week’s Buzz:

Treatment room at the Delamar West Hartford Hotel Spa. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• The Delamar West Hartford Hotel has open since September, but with the opening of the Delamar Spa guests will really be able to take full advantage of the luxury experience the hotel offers. I took a quick tour of the spa last week – and am testing it out this week in order to really be able to provide a first-hand report about the 2,000 square-foot spa and the variety of services available to hotel guests as well as local visitors. It’s hard not to relax the moment you step into the lobby or waiting room (see photo above). There are four treatment rooms (including two couple’s rooms), and the spa also offers manicures and pedicures and has a partnership with Blo Blow Dry Bar in Blue Back Square to offer hair and makeup services. Featured skin treatments include the Biologique Recherche and Valmont lines. Much more information to come later this week!
  

  From left: Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Barbara Lerner, Chamber President Dave Calibey, Mayor Shari Cantor, Connecticut Custom Clothing owner Bob DeGemmis, and stylist Sarah Powers cut the ribbon on Nov. 30, 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• While we’re on the subject of the Delamar, the first of the two lobby retail spaces is now open. Connecticut Custom Clothing had a grand opening celebration on Thursday night with the Chamber of Commerce and town officials. Click here for more details about the business. The other retail tenant, Lane & Lenge Florists, should be open shortly.
• I haven’t been able to do much research on this yet, but I’ve heard that there is a new app for snow clearing called SnoHub, that has now extended its service area to West Hartford. Contractors as well as homeowners can register through the app, which provides feedback about when the plowing will be done (including a text and an image of the driver on the way to your house) and straightforward charges based on the size of the driveway and the extent of the snowfall. With some snow in the forecast for next week, it may be something to check out. Click here for the SnoHub website which has information on how to download the app and register. I’d love to hear some feedback from anyone who uses the service!
• Keating Agency Insurance and many other local businesses are launching a “Winter Warming Drive” that begins today and runs through Dec. 21. Donations of new and gently used coats, hats, and gloves for all ages are being sought and can be dropped off at the following businesses, many of which are offering a discount or other benefit in exchange for a donation: Battison’s of Avon – 369 W Main St. #2, Avon; Daswani Clothiers – 959 Farmington Ave., West Hartford; Keating Agency Insurance – 10 Arapahoe Rd., West Hartford; We Care Computers – 2437 Albany Ave., West Hartford; Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society – 227 South Main St., West Hartford; Waiter Wheels – donate a coat for no delivery fee; Upward Hartford – 20 Church St., Mezzanine, Hartford; LIFER Fitness Studio – 20 Jefferson Ave., West Hartford; Bartlett Brainard Products Co., Inc. – 75 Talcott Rd., West Hartford; Maximum Beverage – 333 N Main St., West Hartford; Maximum Beverage of Farmington – 258 Main St., Farmington; and Talcott Mountain Science Center & Academy – 324 Montevideo Rd., Avon. If you would like to be a drop off location or help participate with a pop up event, email [email protected] or send a message/leave a comment. According to Keating, beneficiaries in the Greater Hartford area are still being finalized, so please let him know if you are aware of a group in need, especially one that will assist veterans. 
• Congratulations to Chef David Borselle and Park & Oak on its first anniversary, and congratulations to Helen Brower and Cesar Contreras on their first anniversary of owning Sally & Bob’s!
• Plan b Restaurants announced in a press release that the company will be launching its own flagship beer in partnership with Harpoon Brewery, and the public is being invited to suggest a name for the craft brew. Beginning in late January, the proprietary beer will only be available on draft at Plan b Restaurants’ nine locations, including Plan b on Park Road in West Hartford. “Harpoon has been a staple in our restaurants since we opened more than a decade ago and we are thrilled to partner with them to bring a unique new beer to our guests,” VP of Operations/Executive Chef Kevin Watson said in the release. Name suggestions will be accepted through Dec. 1 on the website, in restaurants, or on the Plan b Facebook page.  between December 1 – 7 on Plan b Restaurants’ website, in the restaurants or on its main Facebook page. They will be narrowed down to the top 4 and a final fan vote will be held Dec. 9 – 14 to pick the winner! The beer will be an assertively hoppy, well-balanced, and aromatic unfiltered Pale Ale with an easy-drinking flavor and a vibrant amber color. The ABV will be 5.5 percent with 47 IBUs. The person who comes up with the winning name, plus a guest of that person’s choosing, will join Plan b Restaurants in Boston on Jan. 11 to brew the inaugural batch! Transportation, hotel, meals, and swag will be included. To enter click here.
• The Bishops Corner Neighborhood Association has launched a new website! Click here to take a look! And the BCNA will be having a public meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 5, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Senior Center, to discuss many of the association’s activities and exciting developments like the $800,000 grant that was awarded by the state to make the Albany Avenue/North Main Street intersection safer.
  

  Evan Seeman (left) and Jonathan Small have been promoted at Robinson & Cole. Submitted photo

• Congratulations to the following West Hartford residents promoted from associate to counsel at Robinson & Cole and announced in a news release: Evan J. Seeman concentrates his practice in three areas – religious land use litigation, land use and zoning, and real property litigation. He is a member of Robinson+Cole’s Real Estate + Development Group, and represents developers, landowners, municipalities, corporations, and advocacy groups. Seeman works primarily in the firm’s Hartford office. Jonathan E. Small, a member of Robinson+Cole’s Insurance + Reinsurance and Appellate Groups, focuses his practice on property and liability insurance coverage and bad faith litigation, appeals, and class actions. He works in the firm’s Hartford and Boston offices.
• ICYMI, following a remonstrance hearing last week, the Liquor Control Commission is in the process of making its decision on the renewal of Los Imperios‘ liquor license – and that’s not the only legal proceeding ongoing for the West Hartford establishment. Click here for details on the latest happenings.
• Also ICYMI – Click here for images of the Holiday Stroll, and click here for Tom Hickey’s reflections on the Stroll.

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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