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

By Ronni Newton

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and got outside to enjoy the summertime weather!

I returned to West Hartford late last Thursday night, dreading that first-day-back-from-vacation where I am generally chained to the computer catching up, even though I have done some work all along. I was really missing the sound of the waves, but least it wasn’t nice weather until late Friday – when we enjoyed the late day sunshine and checked out Vaughan’s Pies & Pints for some great pizza and beer on the patio.

Sunday’s weather was fabulous, one of those days where it was impossible to stay inside!

After some recent major life transitions like graduations and becoming an empty-nester, yet another new phase arrived this weekend. My daughter and her boyfriend went to their first friends’ wedding, held at a farm in New Hampshire! At age 22 and 23, Katie and Matt are about the same age as my husband and I were when we got married (the bride and groom were about a year older) – and it’s making me feel quite old.

And, at the very same time as my daughter was at a wedding, my 19-year-old son was at an engagement party! Thankfully it wasn’t one of his peers (it was his girlfriend’s cousin), but it’s still something he has never done before.

I do love weddings, but haven’t been to one in years. I guess it won’t be too long before my friends’ kids, and my kids’ friends get married, and I do look forward to sharing in some of those celebrations!

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 Corbin’s Corner storefront that formerly housed Eastern Mountain Sports, which closed in 2016, will soon be home to PM Pediatrics, an urgent care facility open 365 days per year that caters specifically to children. According to its website, PM Pediatrics “specializes in treating patients from the cradle to college. We are staffed by pediatric emergency specialists, including pediatric emergency physicians and board-certified pediatricians, who are specially trained in treating children in urgent care situations while minimizing pain and unnecessary tests.” Onsite capabilities include digital x-rays and laboratory testing of blood, urine, and strep, etc. The sign is up on the building, but the West Hartford location, the first in the state, isn’t even listed on the website yet and a representative couldn’t be reached for comment so no word on an opening date yet. 
  

  West Hartford Parkour. Courtesy photo

• APEX Movement West Hartford has now been rebranded as West Hartford Parkour, advised owner Karen Roche. Located at 635 New Park Ave., the facility offers summer camps, Ninja Warrior birthday parties with Ninja champion Joe Moravsky, and classes that are held both inside and outside. I’ve been inside the facility (and somehow managed to climb up on a few of those wooden structures without incurring any major injury), and it’s definitely a great workout and lots of fun. “To inspire fitness at its purest roots, movement” is the mission. They offer programs for youth, teens, and adults. For more information, visit the West Hartford Parkour website.
• It’s official! Cook and the Bear (50 Memorial Rd. in Blue Back Square) has announced an opening date of July 18. I’ll have a feature story with photos of the interior and exterior, and details about the menu, as soon as possible! You can follow the restaurant on Facebook for up-to-date details.
• Taste of Blue Back Square and The Center is back! The second annual event will be held on Wednesday, July 26, 2017, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., in the parking area outside REI in Blue Back Square. Last year this event was a sell-out and 150 people were actually turned away. The list of participating restaurants is still being finalized, but rumor is that all of the Blue Back Square restaurants will be represented! More details to come in future newsletters, but getting your tickets early is a very good idea! A portion of proceeds will benefit the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society Click here to purchase tickets.
• While you’re at it, don’t forget to vote for Best of West Hartford! This third annual competition is underway, and winners will be celebrated at a “Champagne on Ice” networking reception on Aug. 28. Click here to vote and for more details.
• Company-wide, “Cow Appreciation Day” is the biggest day of the year for Chick-fil-A, and the West Hartford restaurant (509 New Park Ave.) will be celebrating. Come dressed in a cow costume on Tuesday, July 11, from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and you will get a free entree. “I am very excited to bring Cow Appreciation Day to West Hartford and the surrounding areas,” said owner/operator Daryl Jackson. “It’s one of the biggest days of the year for the brand and allows us to have a lot of fun with our customers. We have some of the most creative customers in the industry as demonstrated by their cow costumes!” As for what constitutes a cow costume, you’ll have to use your imagination. I do have a few of those cowbells left over from the Hartford Marathon … More information can be found on the West Hartford Chick-fil-A Facebook page.
• Saving the bad news for last … I haven’t been able to get anyone on the phone at the company to confirm but according to a report on NBC Connecticut, and corroborated by many who commented on Facebook, West Hartford Fence Company has recently closed without warning, leaving many customers who put down deposits with unfulfilled orders. NBC Connecticut reported that they did speak with West Hartford Fence Company owner Stephen Gifford, whose response was: “When we accepted their deposits, we did so in good faith, and thought we’d have the materials and personnel to fill their orders. We will be contacting customers to make them whole in the next few days.”
• ICYMI, West Hartford is the new home to North Atlantic Business Advisors. Click here to read the story by Gillian Hixson.
• Also ICYMI, Jackie Palermo reported last week on the transition of Dr. David Weil’s dental practice to Dr. Tori Saferin. Click here for that 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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