West Hartford Business Buzz: January 4, 2016

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

By Ronni Newton

Happy New Year to all!

I’m finding it a bit hard to hit the ground running on a Monday that happens to be the first work day of the new year, that follows a wonderfully-relaxing weekend visiting my in-laws in Nantucket (beach time is great time even in the winter), and that also happens to be the coldest day we’ve seen in at least nine months. I’ll try to stick to a resolution not to complain about the winter weather (sigh), but I have a feeling that resolution will fall by the wayside faster than my pledge to go to the gym three days a week.

Our newest resolution to our readers is to provide an inspiring quote in each newsletter – so don’t skip the newsletter’s introduction or you may miss out. And if you aren’t already subscribed to We-Ha.com’s Monday/Wednesday/Friday newsletter, you’re definitely missing out. (You can remedy that by clicking here to subscribe.)

Even with the past two shortened work weeks, the business news in West Hartford hasn’t missed a beat. There’s plenty of excitement on the horizon, 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:

The Yoga Shop of West Hartford opened in Bishops Corner on Jan. 3, 2016. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Welcome to West Hartford’s newest business, Yoga Shop of West Hartford, which opened its doors at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 3 – perfect timing for a launch of this type of business because “start (or return to) practicing yoga” is probably high on many lists of New Year’s resolutions. This is the third studio/shop for co-owners Annie Quagliaroli and Kim Charbonneau who already have locations in South Windsor (the “mother ship,” Quagliaroli said) and Old Saybrook. Yoga Shop of West Hartford is located in the former Sacred Movement space (they moved to Bloomfield) right next to the just-closed Party City in Bishops Corner. They offer classes as well as a “full boutique of yoga lifestyle wear,” Quagliaroli said, including accessories, mats, and towels. The website is still in the process of being updated, but follow the Yoga Shop of Facebook for current class schedules.
Spending less money is also probably high on many lists of New Year’s resolutions, which means that West Hartford Center Sales Days are coming at the right time. Look for special sales and promotions from Thursday, Jan. 7 through Saturday, Jan. 9, at your favorite West Hartford Center merchants.
While eating more baked goods is probably not a resolution many of you made (with the possible exception of my 17-year-old son and his friends), nearly everyone enjoys a sweet treat and we have some very good bakery news to report: A Little Something Bakery will not be closing for good. “I have decided to stay open because my family as well as my fellow business owners within 485 New Park reminded me of why I opened the bakery in the first place,” owner Beth Bolton said in an email when we asked about her new plans. “I opened the bakery in 2009 on the belief that we had an excellent product. We knew that if a customer stepped into the bakery and took one deep breath that they would be reminded of happy times, times that make you smile. I know now, seven years later, that seeing those smiles and having people come in everyday is what I need, too. When we moved, I thought not having a retail store would be easier. We were busy, but it was such a disappointment to have customers follow their noses throughout the building and when they get to my door, there was nothing. So, with that said, I am taking a short sabbatical and just rearranging the bakery to accommodate a retail space again. A place where you can come get your ‘little something,'” Bolton said. She plans to offer coffee, tea, and hot chocolate to complement a selection of cookies, bars, cupcakes, and breakfast treats. Bolton will continue to take orders for cakes as well. We will keep you posted on ALSB’s re-opening, likely the last week of January or first week of February. While Bolton said the retail space won’t be as large as her former Park Road space, she said, “I am very excited to remain open and can’t wait to see people come in again. I would love for people to come visit and have a seat at the kitchen table!”
Cumberland Farms is now under construction at the southwest corner of New Park and Flatbush avenues. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Have you been wondering what’s happening beyond the wooden barriers now erected on the southwest corner of New Park Avenue and Flatbush Avenue? Construction has finally started on the Cumberland Farms convenience store/gas station which will be located on the property formerly occupied by Faxon Engineering and some other businesses that were all destroyed in a fire during the blizzard of Feburary 2013.
Salon Medusa, which recently moved to 35 Crossroads Plaza in Bishops Corner, will holding its grand opening celebration combined with a fundraiser on Saturday, Jan. 9, from 7 – 9 p.m. “The public is invited to see the recently renovated new location, and enjoy a beverage and hors d’oeuvres. There will be a raffle with the proceeds to benefit Act Aids CT,” the owners said in an email.

Plans are well underway for the 3rd Annual Taste of Elmwood, which will be once again brought to you by West Hartford Magazine and We-Ha.com. The event will be held on Thursday, Feb. 4, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., at St. Brigid School. Ticket sales will begin on Wednesday, Jan. 5, on We-Ha.com ($25 in advance, $30 at the door if any are still available). Taste of Elmwood benefits the Elmwood Business Association and St. Brigid School, and is sponsored in part by Jerry’s Artarama, JP Carroll Construction, Taylor Rental Party Plus, and the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce. Last year’s event attracted more than 200 people who enjoyed specialties from Elmwood’s favorite eateries.