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

By Ronni Newton

Hall’s Market has turned the space formerly occupied by A Little Something Bakery into their catering operation. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

I hope everyone had a great weekend. There has been so much going on in town, and based on the number of people shopping and strolling in West Hartford on Thursday night – and the number of people I had to dodge at the mall on Sunday – everyone is well into holiday shopping mode!

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].

• Before the storefront at 335 Park Rd. was occupied by A Little Something Bakery, it was Halls 2Go. A Little Something Bakery recently vacated the space and moved to New Park Ave., and now there’s a sign on the building indicating that Hall’s Catering, which is part of Hall’s Market (located next door at 331 Park Rd.), will occupy the storefront. “Right now we’re just using it as a kitchen. We don’t intend to open a retail location there,” said Jen Hettrick of Hall’s Market. Hettrick said that Hall’s has been a lot busier this past year, and needed extra kitchen space for catering as well as prepared food. “It came up quickly, and we really needed space to cook,” Hettrick said. Although they don’t plan to have retail operations in the space, Hettrick said that eventually customers will be able to place and pick up catering orders in the expansion space.

Some Cafe Louise offerings. Submitted photo

• Also expanding in the catering department is Café Louise Catering, located at 1156 New Britain Ave., now operating the Café Marketplace on Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. According to owner Louise Albin, they are now offering prepared dinners for two, soups by the quart, specialty cheeses and fresh baked desserts for pick-up on Saturdays out of the Elmwood kitchen. Albin said that the menu will change each week, but may include items such as turkey potpie, chicken cordon bleu, stuffed meatloaf, beef chili, butternut squash bisque, signature cheese terrines, pies, and brownies. Complimentary coffee will also be served. “We had a tremendous response to our prepared dinners and baked goods at the Bishops Corner Farmers Market this summer,” said Albin. “And we had lots of requests to continue offering them year round. This is an ideal and affordable service for busy families.” For more information or to place your order in advance, call Louise Albin at 860-561-0160, or visit www.cafelouise.com. You can also watch this video about Café Louise that recently aired on NBC Connecticut.

• Peck & Pour had soft opening nights this past Saturday and Sunday. The chicken wings/sports bar/Asian fusion restaurant is located at 14 Oakwood Ave. in the former Brownstone Cafe space. Based on the photos on the restaurant’s Facebook page, it looks like they have a number of TVs tuned to sports, and in addition to beer they feature Onyx Moonshine.

Games Workshop will be opening on South Main Street. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• It appears that Games Workshop will be moving into the former Sugarbeads space on South Main Street on Dec. 20, at least that’s what this sign spotted at the Holiday Stroll indicated. The company’s nearest retail store right now is currently in Greenwich Village, although its products are sold at toy and hobby shops in the area.

• Congratulations to West Hartford’s Restaurant Bricco, named “Upscale Restaurant of the Year” at the Connecticut Restaurant Association Awards Dinner last week! Derek Vitale of West Hartford’s Max’s Oyster Bar was named “Mixologist of the Year.”

• You have until Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. to vote for the “People’s Choice” for best holiday window display in West Hartford Center. You can actually choose your favorites on each block. Click here for details.

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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