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

By Ronni Newton

Today is Martin Luther King Day, which means many people have a vacation day.

This is the 21st year that West Hartford will mark this day with a celebration of the life of Dr. King – a wonderful ceremony that includes music provided by students from schools throughout town as well as a keynote speaker. In addition two students – one each from Conard and Hall – are chosen as speakers. I’ve covered this event for many years, and am always incredibly impressed by the poise and impassioned words of the students. Look for my story about the event later today.

For the past several years in my household Martin Luther King Day has also been return-to-college day. Both of my kids leave today, and it’s going to be very quiet in the house. Scarlett will almost certainly be moping around for days, and I am going to be pretty sad, too.

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:

Harvest Wine Bar will be moving into the space at 64-66 LaSalle Rd. in West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• There’s exciting news to report about the former BK&Co. and Contessa space! Harvest Wine Bar, a farm-to-table restaurant, will be opening at 64-66 LaSalle Rd. in mid to late summer. According to property owner LaSalle Road Partners, Harvest Wine Bar is a family-owned and run business (owners are siblings Kleber, Nube, and Vicente Siguenza) that takes the “farm-to-fork” concept very seriously, with personal involvement of the owners and chef in the selection of ingredients from local and organic farms. They also place a major emphasis on pairing the perfect wines to complement the food they serve. The menu, according to their website, offers “modern American custom cuisine with Asian, Latin, and Mediterranean influence.” Harvest Wine Bar currently has three locations (Greenwich, New Haven, and Westport), and the owners also have several “sister” restaurants in Fairfield County with slightly different concepts. More information will certainly follow as the build-out commences and the restaurant gets closer to its opening date!
• Planning is in full swing for the fourth annual “Taste of Elmwood” scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at St. Brigid St. Augustine School on Mayflower Street. Look for a list of restaurants participating in this event, which serve as a fundraiser for the Elmwood Business Association, to be announced later this week. Sponsors are Jerry’s Artarama (which is preparing swag bags for all of the guests) and Argelia Novias Gowns and Oscar’s Tux which will also offer surprises that night. Additional sponsors include the soon-to-open GolfTEC, Bristle & Blade Barber Shop, Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, and JP Carroll. Maximum Beverage has joined the #WeHaEvents team and will be providing all beverages for all of our events in 2017 including the Taste of Elmwood. Special drink prices and higher end wine and beer will be available for purchase. Advance tickets for Taste of Elmwood are on sale now by clicking this link. Tickets are $30 in advance, and will be available at the door for $40 only if they haven’t sold out beforehand.
• We learned on Monday that Bertucci’s in Bishops Corner would be closing – and just a few days later the restaurant closed its doors for good. Bertucci’s management emailed customers on its mailing list on the day it closed, stating that the company would be working to relocate its team members to other locations or make introductions to the “new incoming restaurant.” Information about the name of that restaurant has not been released yet, but I have confirmation that a lease has been signed and that it is a Mexican restaurant. (Not Moe’s.) Click here to read the story about the closing.
  

  Sarah Miner has joined the staff of McDowell Jewett Communications. Submitted photo

• West Hartford resident Sarah Miner has joined the staff of Hartford-based communications and public affairs firm McDowell Jewett Communications as director of Social Media & Digital Content. Her previous experience includes managing digital sales, advertising, and social communications for local online publishers as part of Connecticut-based Independent Media Network and experience with corporate news media at NBC Universal and locally-focused WNPR. She currently is an adjunct professor of social media and community management at Quinnipiac University. She is also an accomplished vocalist who recently released her first EP It’s Alright With Me. Miner lives in West Hartford with her husband and two children.
• Welcome to some new employees of West Hartford-based accounting/business advisory firm Filomeno & Company, P.C. Eight new team members include: Manager Anthony DeLucia, Jr., CPA, of Derby; Senior Staff Associate Paul Conti of Windsor; Staff Associate Aishwarya Patel of Berlin; Staff Associate Ozal Ajmal of Bristol; Staff Associate Meaghan Daly of Vernon; Staff Associate Tyler Robertson of Cheshire; Staff Associate Joseph Parent of Thomaston; and part-time Bookkeeper Caroline Connors of Glastonbury.
• Fleet Feet Sports expanded two years ago with a Women’s Annex a few doors down in the same 1003 Farmington Ave. strip shopping center, but owner Stephanie Blozy decided not to renew the lease when it expires and will be closing the Annex completely by the end of this month. Women’s apparel will be moved back into the main store and a “Moving Forward” sale – that includes the vast selection of sports bras – is underway.  
• There was quite a bit of business news last week, so there are a number of ICYMI stories to share today, including the official announcement by Chick-fil-A West Hartford’s Owner/Operator Daryl Jackson that the 509 New Park Ave. restaurant will be opening on Feb. 9. The opening will include Chick-fil-A’s signature “First 100” deal, with free meals for a year to the first 100 customers in line – a line that will be forming the day before the opening. My son is already planning his first visit home during the spring semester to coincide with that event! Click here to find out more about Jackson and the restaurant.
• Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union, which opened recently at 973 Farmington Ave., will donate $5,000 to the top vote-getter from among the 16 West Hartford Public Schools. Voting is ongoing through Feb. 16. Click here for more details.
• Westfarms will be changing its hours effective Jan. 30, and will close 30 minutes earlier on Monday through Saturday. 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 [email protected].

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