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

Jared the Galleria of Jewelry will open soon in West Hartford, Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By Ronni Newton

Once again Business Buzz has some news that’s news because there’s no news. And it looks like your honey may be able to say that “He went to Jared” for your Valentine’s gift without ever having to leave West Hartford.

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!

• “He” will very likely be able to go to Jared right in Corbins Corner in West Hartford just in time for Valentine’s Day. The brand new Jared the Galleria of Jewelry store has been under construction in the Corbins Corner parking lot for several months, and is scheduled to open sometime during the first week of February according to an employee in the Waterford Jared store. Jared is part of the Akron, Ohio-based Sterling Jewelers, Inc. The West Hartford store will be the chain’s second Jared store in Connecticut.
• The news that’s news because there’s no news for this week is about Barcelona. There was a post in a West Hartford Facebook group on Thursday indicating that Barcelona in West Hartford Center had closed and was being replaced by another restaurant. Somehow, someone was sure that the replacement restaurant had already held a grand opening. To check out the accuracy of the rumor, I went directly to the source – Barecelona – around noon on Friday. And it was closed … but that’s because Barcelona only serves dinner! Next door at Bartaco, Barcelona’s sister restaurant, Manager Jelyne Helms said the rumor was completely false, and Barcelona is alive and well. “We’re actually doing much better than ever in the past two years, in both stores,” Helms said.
• Happy Anniversary to Blue Plate Kitchen! The Bishops Corner restaurant that specializes in “modern comfort food” celebrated its first anniversary last week. “We’ve formed a great following, and have more than 2,200 loyalty members,” said manager Anthony Sousa. Blue Plate Kitchen is shifting its offerings to the “winter season” menu, and has also streamlined its menu so that the restaurant can transition seamlessly from one meal to the next without needing to take a break.
• La Petite France owner Alex Litor-Li is stretching herself – literally. Litor-Li has become a Kundalini yoga teacher, and will begin offering classes this week as well as a workshop on Sunday, Jan. 25, from 2-4 p.m. She provided the following information in an email: “Kundalini yoga is a very ancient technology, sometimes it is considered as being the ‘mother’ of all yogas. Through breathing techniques, movement, postures and meditation, it strengthens the nervous system, balances the glandular system,  expands lung capacity, and purifies the blood. It brings balance to the body, mind, and soul. Kundalini Yoga is a yoga for householders, for people who have to cope with the daily challenges and stresses of holding jobs, raising families, and managing businesses. It is a path for everyone who wants the skills to cope successfully with the challenges of our times.” For more information, visit her website ravikirinyoga.com and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RaviKirinKundaliniCT.
• ICYMI: DHR North Main Street, LLC, received approval from the West Hartford Town Council last week to construct 10 new townhome condominiums at 747 North Main St. Click here to read the full story.

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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