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

Business Buzz is sponsored by NBT Bank, and we are very thankful for their support!

By Ronni Newton

Brrrrrr …..

My thoughts, in general, about winter. This coffee mug was a gift a few years ago, and it comes out when the weather is particularly cold or otherwise yucky. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

… nuff said.

I will add that Ted and I ventured out to my sister’s house for dinner on Sunday night, lured by the prospect of homemade ziti prepared by her boyfriend, Carmine Mancini. She only lives a half mile away and we walked –  with high-viz accessories, of course! When we got home around 9 p.m., I measured between 15 and 16 inches of snow in places that had previously been bare and where it hadn’t really drifted.

Ted and I arrive at my sister’s house for dinner after walking through the snowstorm. Photo credit: Debbi Zimbler

Snow on my patio, 9 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 25. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Baked ziti was reason to trek a half-mile by foot in a raging snowstorm. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

By the time you read this it will hopefully have stopped snowing (or will be stopping soon) and the digging out process will be well underway. I’ll continue to update the article I published Friday about the upcoming storm and arctic cold until everything is back to normal, which I hope will be sooner than March.

On a positive note, We-Ha.com has welcomed a new group of interns for the “spring” semester through the West Hartford Public School “School-to-Careers” program. Look for their contributions (sports as well as other school and community activities) beginning in the next week or so. And a big thank you to last semester’s interns Jade Werblow, Jenny Schlichting, Cole Schweiger, Maddie Geraghty, and Hadley Smith!

We-Ha.com interns for spring 2026 are Liv Varellas (Hall), Kei Caudle (Hall), Brooklynn Knowles (Conard), and Kelly Fleischmann (Conard). Photo credit: Ronni Newton

I’m also very, very excited to have West Hartford native Melissa Cole, formerly of WFSB, joining the We-Ha.com team! Her story last week was an interview with a new West Hartford resident who has made quite the impact on the social media scene with the Reheated Coffee Club. Look for Melissa’s regular feature stories about West Hartford people, places, and events!

My major dining out experience of the past week was actually last Monday night at Bricco, but since that was for the celebration of the restaurant’s 30th anniversary in West Hartford – and is the featured item in this article – most of the photos are part of that write-up below.

Ronni Newton and Billy Grant. 30th anniversary celebration. Restaurant Bricco, 78 LaSalle Road, West Hartford.

30th anniversary celebration. Restaurant Bricco, 78 LaSalle Road, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Penne with Grilled Chicken and House-Made Ricotta Gnocchi. 30th anniversary celebration. Restaurant Bricco, 78 LaSalle Road, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

I forgot to take photos of the sandwiches and churro croissants I bought at Paris Baguette at the grand opening of Friday, but all were delicious. I did get a photo of my coffee (also excellent) as I was testing the sightlines for the official ribbon cutting photo.

Paris Baguette in Corbin’s Corner celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting on Jan. 23, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

We had a last-minute opportunity to attend the extremely exciting (too exciting) UConn vs. Villanova game on Saturday, including a visit to the Champions Club which is a fantastic new addition to PeoplesBank arena.

UConn vs. Villanova, Jan. 24, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Some of the spread inside the Champions Club at PeoplesBank Arena. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

UConn vs. Villanova, Jan. 24, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

And in our second trip to Hartford on Saturday, Ted and I attended the Connecticut Forum. We-Ha.com is a media sponsor of the Forum, and it was great to hear about “On Democracy and the Future of the Parties” from Pete Buttigieg, in conversation with Jonah Goldberg. We attended the reception prior to the main event, and among those who also attended were We-Ha.com contributor Irene O’Connor of Linked Media and her husband, Matt Fleury, president and CEO of the Connecticut Science Center.

From left: Irene O’Connor, Matt Fleury, Pam Carr, Ronni Newton, Bob Carr, Ted Newton, at the reception before the Connecticut Forum. Jan. 24, 2026.

Mana Zarinejad, executive director of the Connecticut Forum, with Jonah Goldberg. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Mana Zarinejad, executive director of the Connecticut Forum, with former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Jonah Goldberg (left) and Pete Buttigieg on stage at The Bushnell at the Connecticut Forum, Jan. 24, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

We had two trolls this past week, and two others who submitted comments and have yet to respond to my email request for their full names. Thank you to all who do comment with your full names, and avoid making personal attacks! Please note that it has been our policy for several years that full names be used when commenting directly on the site – with the exception of those commenters who were grandfathered when they commented prior to the policy being updated. Please comply or your comment will not be published.

If you are a long term, regular advertiser on We-Ha.com and have a 60 to 75 word submission for a future Business Buzz please send to Bob Carr at [email protected]. You can also contact Bob if you are interested in becoming a sponsor of a section of the site.

If you have information to share about local businesses, please provide details in the comments or email Ronni Newton at [email protected].

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Here’s this week’s Buzz:

Billy Grant (right) with his brothers Tony and Mike at the 30th anniversary celebration. Restaurant Bricco, 78 LaSalle Road, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• When I learned that Restaurant Bricco would be celebrating its 30th anniversary this month, it was hard to believe! It seems like just yesterday that I interviewed Billy Grant about his 25th, but that was less than a year into the pandemic when time was completely distorted. When I interviewed him for the article in 2021, Billy told me that when he opened Bricco (official date was Jan. 18, 1996), the restaurant was considered “edgy.” While I would not necessarily use that term to define what has been my favorite restaurant since moving to West Hartford in 1998, I would definitely say that despite its longevity Bricco has not lost its edge! Part of that is Billy Grant himself, who is always warm and welcoming, always giving back to the community, and genuinely loves his work. “I would not be here without Tony and Mike,” he told me, wanting to be sure that his two brothers – who ran the Manhattan Bagel shop on Farmington Avenue (now Chipotle) for several years before the trio found the 78 LaSalle Road location and made the decision to open Bricco – were recognized as part of the family business celebration. For the nostalgia of the anniversary occasion, which lasted from Monday through Wednesday, Billy brought back some items that were on the original menu. A few fun facts that he shared were that more than a dozen couples got together while working for Bricco – 17 that have gone on to get married and/or have children.  … Valley Fish and D&D Market have been suppliers since the beginning – and Billy said his father, who owned Augie & Rays in Hartford, had done business with them previously. … Sous Chef Oscar Soriano has been with him in the kitchen for 26 years. Billy’s son, Billy IV, who is now married and has a young child of his own, celebrated his first birthday at Bricco shortly after it opened. … “There have been so many talented chefs,” Billy added, quickly running off a list of those who had worked at Bricco over the years, that included KC Ward, Adam Greenberg, Jamie Bissonnette, Eric Sass, Fran Marino, Nick Mancini, Brent Stanford, Brian Moyers, Charlie England, Corey Cannon, and Jon Gyles. (My apologies to any names that I may not have caught.) “This week was just an outpouring,” Billy said, with many from the past visiting, along with devoted customers, some of whom eat at Bricco a few times a month or even once a week. “I’m super thankful for all, just super, super thankful for my family, for my employees,” he said. As for the future, “I would really like to make it to 50 years,” Billy said. With the signature motto remaining unchanged since the beginning – “Eat and live well always” – let’s hope that “always” continues for many, many more years to come.

30th anniversary celebration. Restaurant Bricco, 78 LaSalle Road, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Focaccia bread at 30th anniversary celebration. Restaurant Bricco, 78 LaSalle Road, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Portobello Mushroom “Napolean.” 30th anniversary celebration. Restaurant Bricco, 78 LaSalle Road, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Eggplant Torta. 30th anniversary celebration. Restaurant Bricco, 78 LaSalle Road, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

House-Made Ricotta Gnocchi. 30th anniversary celebration. Restaurant Bricco, 78 LaSalle Road, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Penne with Grilled Chicken. 30th anniversary celebration. Restaurant Bricco, 78 LaSalle Road, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

30th anniversary celebration. Restaurant Bricco, 78 LaSalle Road, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

30th anniversary celebration. Restaurant Bricco, 78 LaSalle Road, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

30th anniversary celebration. Restaurant Bricco, 78 LaSalle Road, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Billy Grant (right) with his brothers Tony and Mike at the 30th anniversary celebration. Restaurant Bricco, 78 LaSalle Road, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

30th anniversary celebration. Restaurant Bricco, 78 LaSalle Road, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Restaurant Bricco, 78 LaSalle Road, West Hartford. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• A new chapter will begin at Lyons Auto Service (1056 New Britain Avenue) in February, and while I am going to hold off on the complete details until the change has taken effect, please note that the business is not closing, and at least for the near future the name isn’t changing either. VIP Tire & Auto Services, which is also family-owned, is purchasing the business, effective Jan. 30, 2026, and they will be closed on Jan. 31 and then reopen on Feb. 1 with the new ownership in place. I met several members of the VIP team last week, and look forward to sharing those details very soon. The reason for the ownership change is that Chip Lyons is retiring – but all other current employees have been offered the opportunity to remain with the business. In a letter to customers, the Lyons family expressed their thanks to customers and said they have always looked to provide quality repairs and excellent service. “We have strived to do this at fair prices and with the utmost care and concern for your automotive needs,” the letter states, noting that VIP will be honoring the Lyons warranties across all 77 of their locations. “We want to thank everyone who has supported us since we started in 1979 at Bishops Corner,” Amy Lyons McCarthy said in a Facebook post.

Lyons Auto, 1056 New Britain Avenue, has been sold and will be under new ownership effective Feb. 1, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Fernanda and David Jacobs took over ownership of West Hartford’s Fleet Feet store from Stephanie and Carrie Blozy as of May 1, 2023, and effective Jan. 22, they have now further expanded their operation by acquiring the Marathon Sports retail location at 63 Hebron Ave. in Glastonbury, Connecticut. “The acquisition expands Fleet Feet’s Connecticut store network and supports the company’s broader national growth and acquisition strategy. The Glastonbury store becomes the second Fleet Feet Hartford-area location owned by franchisees Fernanda and David Jacobs,” the company said in a news release. “Greater Glastonbury and West Hartford possess proud, active outdoor communities, and high school sports teams with a long-standing tradition of successful athletics,” David Jacobs said in a statement. “We are eager for the opportunity to support local events and drive community engagement across our offerings, building on the great foundation that’s been built by soundRUNNER and Marathon Sports in Glastonbury.” They’re in the process of installing new signage and painting in Glastonbury, but David told me they had already hosted the first Fun Run in Glastonbury last Thursday, which was attended by Mizuno and approximately 60 runners. Their first customer was a freshman at Portland High School, who bought some Adidas spikes. Scott Levine, who has managed the West Hartford store since the Jacobs took it over, is now the manager in Glastonbury, while West Hartford native Tommy O’Gorman will manage the West Hartford store. “There’s overlap in product selection between the two stores, and differences. For instance, both stores carry lululemon, but Glastonbury also carries Vuori,” David said. “We’re quickly engaging with the community,” he added, taking on the sponsorship of the Glastonbury River Runners race called “King of Pain” on Feb. 8, a race he said “is a shade longer than ten miles with a lot of hills” and sounds like it lives up to its name! An official grand opening will be scheduled in the coming weeks that will include a run from Fleet Feet West Hartford to Fleet Feet Glastonbury, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony, champagne, food, giveaways, promotions, and more, the announcement states.

From left: David Jacobs, Fernanda Jacobs, Scott Levine at Fleet Feet Glastonbury. Courtesy photo

The store at 63 Hebron Avenue in Glastonbury is now Fleet Feet. Courtesy photo

First Fun Run from Fleet Feet Glastonbury, Jan. 22, 2026. Courtesy of David Jacobs

First Fun Run from Fleet Feet Glastonbury, Jan. 22, 2026. Courtesy of David Jacobs

First customer at Fleet Feet Glastonbury was a Portland High School freshman (right) with her mom. Center is the Jacobs’ son, David, who handled the sale. Courtesy photo

• Ramp Fitness LLC will be opening at 635 New Park Avenue, Building 3, sometime in the near future. “It is a small, new business I started to bring an adaptive and inclusive fitness space to West Hartford,” said owner Becky Hoisl, a West Hartford native and Conard graduate who was a multi-sport athlete in high school and student-athlete in college. “It will be a gym that has standard equipment alongside adaptive equipment, with opportunities for people with and without disabilities to improve their health and wellness.” The permitting process is underway, and look for much more information to come once the opening gets close. “Our motto sums up Ramp Fitness LLC perfectly, ‘Ramp Fitness, where everyone works out,'” she added.

Ramp Fitness will be opening at 635 New Park Avenue, Building 3. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Courtesy image

• New Park Brewing (485 New Park Avenue) will be holding an open house on Sunday, Feb. 8, that will include a tour of both of their private event spaces. Their preferred vendors, including a florist, a DJ, and event coordinator, a photographer, and catering partners participate in the event. “Visit each vendors’ booth to see their work while tasting some yummy bites! Cash bar available & one free drink ticket to those who pre-register,” New Park Brewing said in an announcement. More details and the link to registration can be found here.

Courtesy image

• Max Zeller Furs has officially reopened in their new location at 977 Farmington Avenue. They are on the lower level, below Westfield Bank. The store was previously across the street, but had to relocate late last year because the previous location is being redeveloped as a mixed use building, with two restaurants on the ground floor and a second floor with residential units.

Max Zeller Furs is now located on the lower level of 977 Farmington Avenue. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Nicole Laing, a West Hartford mom of three, has launched a business specializing in high-end facials and premium lash treatments. Lume Skincare offers personalized beauty services using premier machines like the Bellanova All-in-One for anti-aging, brightening, and collagen-boosting results, she said. The studio, located inside SOLA Salons at 61 Raymond Road, No. 3, also features the advanced Hydroimpact machine, which deeply cleanses pores, gently removes dead skin cells, and delivers powerful hydration to improve skin clarity, texture, and overall radiance – suitable for all skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin. Lume Skincare incorporates Korean clinical-grade skincare from Histolab to enhance hydration, anti-aging, and brightening effects as part of its results-driven facial treatments. With cutting-edge facial technology and top-tier lash extensions, Lume Skincare focuses on expert care and customized experiences to help clients achieve healthy, radiant skin. Any new customer who mentions seeing this blurb will receive 20% of any service, she said.

Lume Skincare. Courtesy photo

Lume Skincare. Courtesy photo

• Congratulations to Paris Baguette on their official ribbon cutting in Corbin’s Corner with town officials and thte Chamber of Commerce, held on Friday, Jan. 23. Every time I go in there I’m overwhelmed by the number of yummy choices, and am going to be working through the menu for quite some time!

Paris Baguette in Corbin’s Corner celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting on Jan. 23, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Paris Baguette in Corbin’s Corner celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting on Jan. 23, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Paris Baguette in Corbin’s Corner celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting on Jan. 23, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• West Hartford Rotary shared their pride and congratulations for the recognition of West Hartford Rotarian Dr. Booker DeVaughn and his wife, Dr. Elena DeVaughn, who were awarded the prestigious Earl Exum Servant Leader Award on Martin Luther King Jr. Day at West Hartford Town Hall last week. “A servant leader is an individual who focuses on serving others, fostering a supportive environment, and empowering people to grow. Nominees for this award demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities and encourage collaboration and stewardship,” the Rotary announced, adding that Mayor Shari Cantor, also a West Hartford Rotarian, presented a proclamation. “Congratulations to Booker and Elena for embodying Rotary’s guiding principle of ‘Service Above Self!'” Past District Governor Dave Mangs said.

David Mangs (left) with Drs. Booker and Elena DeVaughn. Courtesy photo

Mayor Shari Cantor presents a proclamation to Earl Exum Servant Leader Award winners Drs. Elena and Booker DeVaughn. West Hartford’s 30th celebration of Martin Luther King Day. Jan. 19, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

• The University of Saint Joseph will celebrate the release of USJ Professor Anthony Johnston’s new book, “Introduction to Secondary Teaching: Blending Wisdom, Research, and Social Justice,” on Thursday, Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. in the Crystal Room, Mercy Hall. Professor Johnston will be joined in conversation with Dianna Wentzell, USJ Director of Clinical Practice & Associate Professor of Education, and former Connecticut Commissioner of Education. Johnston is an associate professor in USJ’s Secondary Education program and graduate programs, as well as an instructor in the Online Master’s for Teachers program. His scholarship focuses on adolescent identities, literacy, culture, and teachers’ work – all with a lens of equity and social justice.

USJ Professor Anthony Johnston. Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

• This week’s closing news is a business right over the town line in Hartford. According to CT Insider, Apple Cinema XTreme at 330 New Park Avenue closed for good on Jan. 19, 2026.

Apple Cinemas on New Park Avenue in Hartford has closed for good. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Did you know …

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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