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

BareSkin Laser Hair Removal recently opened on the corner of Park Road and Whiting Lane. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

Welcome to another Monday – one that just missed being a snow day. Today is, however, President’s Day and a holiday for many people and part of the 4-day winter break for West Hartford Public Schools.

I sometimes use the intro to Business Buzz for some editorial musing, and lately those opinions have included complaints about the brutally cold and excessivelt snowy winter weather. Well I now feel a bit more justified in my disdain for the evil Ol’ Man Winter.

On Saturday, my husband wiped out on the ice on our driveway, screamed for help, and was lying there face first, seemingly immobile. Without thinking about the fact that the treacherous condition of our driveway had caused his fall, I ran out of the house to rescue him, my feet immediately went out from under me, and I landed on my rear, somewhat breaking my fall with my left hand.

I knew right away that my left wrist, which I broke a few years ago, was fractured again. (The wrist’s incorrect angle was all I needed to see, and I won’t publish my son’s reaction when he saw it because no one wants to embarrass their teen.)

In any case, a nice doctor at UConn Health Center fixed me up with an above-the-elbow splint, and I hope after a few weeks to have that replaced with a cast that allows my elbow to bend and the fingers to have more mobility for typing.

Thanks for listening, Business Buzz readers. I will say one more time (well, I may say it again) that I am so done with winter!

And, if I’m a little behind in reporting on something or decide not to cover an event because it requires two useful hands, you know why.

Also, 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:

• Aaron Sarwar, owner of the now-closed Shish Lounge and part of the family-owned Shish Kebab House of Afghanistan at 36 LaSalle Rd., has branched out into a completely different type of business. Sarwar is the owner of BareSkin Laser Hair Removal, which opened just a few weeks ago at 202 Park Rd. in West Hartford. According to the website: “BareSkin is one of the only facilities utilizing the Candela GentleMax Pro, the newest and best device by the same company who brought us the GentleYag and GentleLase. The GentleMax Pro contains both the Nd:Yag and Alexandrite lasers. All staff are medical professionals licensed by the state of Connecticut and cetified in laser hair removal.”

L-R: Jeff Brand, West Hartford YMCA Board of Advisors and Annual Campaign Chair; Shawn Fongemie, West Hartford YMCA Executive Director; Kristin Arslan, Marketing Team Leader of Whole Foods Market; Nancy Brecher, West Hartford YMCA Board Chair. Submitted photo

• Whole Foods Market West Hartford Center had a very successful “5% Day” in January, and at the same time made a major contribution to kick-off the West Hartford YMCA‘s annual campaign. On Feb. 4, Whole Foods Marketing Team Leader Kristin Arslan presented a sizeable check to the YMCA, their non-profit recipient for January. “Great news! We raised $6,552 on Wednesday for your 5% Day!! We did 9% MORE in sales than the previous year which is VERY, VERY good! Thank you for the publicity you gave this 5% Day,” Arslan told YMCA representatives as she presented the check.

• A new addiction clinic has opened in the Central Building in West Hartford Center. According to an article in the Hartford Business Journal, Los Angeles-based BioCorRx Inc. opened its second Connecticut location at 970 Farmington Ave. in West Hartford in early February. The other Connecticut location is in Norwalk. According to the article, BioCorRx’s program “includes an implant that delivers an opioid antagonist called Naltrexone, combined with one-on-one coaching with a counselor,” and the company is targeting Connecticut “because the state has a relatively high level of substance abuse. Citing Centers for Disease Control data, the company said 900 Connecticut residents die annually from alcohol use.”

Dawn Morris. Submitted photo

• Congratulations to West Hartford resident Dawn Morris, who last week was appointed co-chairperson of “The Governor’s Prevention Partnership.” According to a news release, the Governor’s Prevention Partnership is “a nonprofit public-private organization dedicated to keeping Connecticut youth safe, successful and drug-free today, for a more productive workforce tomorrow.” Morris, who is executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Webster Bank, will serve alongside Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, the other co-chair of the Partership.

• This is a “Love Story” but it’s also about a West Hartford business. Click here to read the Hartford Courant story of Ronnie and Rhonda Zieky, who have owned and worked alongside each other at West Hartford’s Sally & Bob’s on North Main Street for 31 years.

• We don’t usually do promotions in this column, but this one seemed unique and worth a mention because who knew that cognac could be paired with each course of a five-course dinner? Grants Restaurant and Bar, at 977 Farmington Ave., will do just that at a Hennessey Tasting on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 6:30 p.m. Reservations: 860-236-1930.

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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