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

I hope everyone is enjoying what should be a quiet week leading up to the Fourth of July!

Please note that while we had a newsletter today, and will have one on Wednesday, there will NOT be a We-Ha.com newsletter on Friday this week in celebration of the holiday.

We’ve made our annual Fourth of July trip to Nantucket where we are spending time with Ted’s mom and other family members and their significant others. Millie is also getting some quality beach time!

I’m looking forward to some sunshine, to running the annual Firecracker 5K, and to sitting on the beach and doing lots of reading. Bridget Bronsdon and Kaily Martinez are very ably holding down the fort in West Hartford and will be prepared to respond to any breaking news.

Last week’s dining out experience was a great lunch meeting at Zohara – which included pita with labneh and whipped feta, a Mediterranean rice bowl and the green falafel.

I also attended the Chamber of Commerce annual meeting and dinner at The North House on Thursday night (story to come) – but my table was one of the last ones at the buffet so it wasn’t as photogenic by that time and I neglected to take any photos.

We’ve been enjoying some home-cooked meals here on Nantucket, but we did bike to the bakeshop for doughnuts a few days ago (our longtime family rule is that you can’t have a doughnut if you drive to the bakeshop) – and since we didn’t make it in time before the blueberry cake doughnuts were sold out, we will “have” to go back. (This old-fashioned doughnut was yummy, but blueberry cake is my favorite.)

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].

If you’re looking for news about West Hartford in print please note that many stories from We-Ha.com, as well as other local news, is published in the twice-monthly issues of the West Hartford Press.

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

**************************************************

Here’s this week’s Buzz:

• One of the few types of eateries that West Hartford Center has been lacking is a deli – but no longer! NY Deli & Grill fully opened this weekend at 76 LaSalle Road. Mo Almadhari, who is managing the West Hartford location, said he and other family members/business partners have owned and managed other delis in New York and other locations for 30 years. “We don’t have a deli in this area,” said Mo about the decision to bring that business to West Hartford Center. His cousin owns the Quais Convenience Shop next door (and is a partner in the NY Deli & Grill as well), and when they secured the space and were looking to turn it into a restaurant, a deli made the most sense. They serve breakfast (egg sandwiches, bagels, and platters including French toast, pancakes, and omelets); and for lunch and dinner offer a variety of deli sandwiches, wraps, shawarma, burgers, fries, quesadilla, wings, and salads. They also have protein shakes and smoothies. “We’re mainly grab and go,” Mo said, but there are four tables for those who prefer to dine in. The menu can be found below, and the website will be completed in the next few weeks. I was there before they were officially open so I didn’t get to sample any of the food or take food photos, but I will do that as soon as I can!

• After three years at 635 New Park Avenue, JunkPot Studios is preparing for its move to 602 New Park Avenue, the space formerly occupied by Argelia Novias Bridal Shop. “We will be able to schedule 15 classes for the semester,” an increase from the eight to 12 classes per semester they were able to hold in the previous location, Pedro Centeno, owner of the community ceramics studio and educational business told me last week.  The new space is about double the size, and they will have 30 wheels (they currently have 11) and two separate rooms. “It’s a big jump,” said Centeno, that will significantly increase their capacity. Registration for the fall semester begins on July 14, and the first sessions in the new space will begin on Sept. 2. Centano said he has brought on a new instructor, Lydia Johnson, and will also be starting classes for teens ages 13-16 on Wednesday afternoons. “Friday Clay Nights” will also be held in the new space – offering a fun night out (BYOB permitted) that’s also a teaser to enrolling in classes, and they also offer rental of the studio for events, and well as private classes. “We’re looking forward to our new venture,” said Centeno, adding that the new studio space is beautiful. It’s also way more visible right on New Park Avenue, and he’s looking forward to being in the public eye. For more information about JunkPot, visit their website.

• Have you seen the Adirondack chairs and cornhole games set up in the grassy area in front of Fleming’s and Boqueria on South Main Street? I noticed them for the first time last  “Blue Back Square purchased those for guests to enjoy while they are visiting the property,” said spokesperson Elizabeth Zigmont when I asked about them. Looks like a great space for people watching – and hopefully some fun competition as well!

• I saw the door propped open while walking through the Farmington Avenue parking lot one day last week and peeked at the construction underway at Caffè Nero in the former Sweet Frog space at 13 South Main Street. It’s definitely come a long way since the “white box” it was last time I saw the interior, and according to town officials they have been hoping to open by the end of the summer but although they have been hiring there isn’t any official announcement yet about an opening date. Caffè Nero, which was founded by Gerry Ford in Europe in 1997, is a family-owned and operated business that now has more than 1,000 locations in the U.S., Europe, and Middle East. In addition to coffee and tea, Caffè Nero’s menu includes breakfast foods, soups, and salads.

• Congratulations to West Hartford Police Chief Vernon Riddick, who was chosen by CT NAACP as one of the 100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut for 2024. “Congratulations Chief, we are very proud of you,” said Town Manager Rick Ledwith when he reported the honor at last week’s Town Council meeting. Chief Riddick was officially honored Saturday at an awards ceremony that celebrates “renowned influencers, recognizes community leaders, and honors industry trailblazers who often go unnoticed for their exceptional contributions to the community,” Ledwith said.

• Firefighter/Paramedic Xavier Harrelle was honored as Firefighter of the Year by the Exchange Club at their Public Safety Night in late May, but wasn’t able to attend in person. He officially received his proclamation and plaque last week, Chief Greg Priest said. Congratulations again to Firefighter/Paramedic Harrelle!

• Three restaurants in West Hartford – Artisan, Barcelona, and Union Kitchen – were among the 37 Connecticut restaurants named in Wine Spectator’s 2024 Restaurant Award winners! Worldwide, more than 3,700 restaurants were honored for their wine lists. Congrats to all!

• I attended the West Hartford Center Business Association meeting last week, and plans are being finalized for the West Hartford Center Sales Days sidewalk sale on July 11, 12, an 13. Discounts vary widely, and according to Kimberly Mattson Moster, president of the WHCBA and owner of Kimberly Boutique and Kimberly Gift, participants as of now include her two stores, Ten Thousand Villages, Good Cause Gifts, JMcLaughlin, Bk&Co, Hope & Stetson, and Mosaic Sun.

• I reported on the launch of sales for the luxury condominiums at Center Park Place just over a month ago, and since there continue to be news stories about the development I took a look at the website just to see how the sales are going. There are now reservations for 12 of the 58 units – including the expansive three-bedroom/four-bathroom, 3,650-square-foot unit which is selling for significantly more than the $1.2 to $1.8 million listing price for some of the remaining units. Most of the units for which there are reservations are on the top floor, according to the website.

Remember, if you have any business news to share, add it in the comments section below or email Ronni Newton at [email protected].

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.