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

By Ronni Newton

It’s hot, but no complaining! Remember the winter? I for one will take this heat any day!

The lone remaining large pine tree on the Delamar West Hartford Hotel construction site will be removed on Monday, July 20, 2015, now that the red-tailed hawk’s nest is now longer occupied. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

I’m also thankful that even though we are in the dog days of summer, and it seems like half the town is away on vacation, there’s still plenty of business news to share.

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:

• By the time many of you read this column, the lone remaining large pine tree on the site of the Delamar West Hartford Hotel construction site will be gone. At 9 a.m. Monday, with the approval of the DEEP, construction crews are scheduled to cut down the tree that had been protected during the time that a red-tailed hawk was incubating her egg and while the baby hawk, dubbed “Baby Delamar” by a local group of bird experts, was residing there. The tree was to remain protected until the hawk fledged and the nest was abandoned, and that unfortunately happened somewhat sooner than expected when young Delamar became ill and was rescued with the aid of the West Hartford Fire Department on July 10. The parent hawks have not been seen since the baby was removed from the nest. Senior Project Manager for JCS Construction Charles Bonser said, “We are forging ahead at the hotel site. Delamar the hawk was one of those things that you encounter in this business, you just have to deal with obstacles sometimes and make the most of the situation. We focused on other aspects of the site work and kept going. We will be pouring the concrete foundations by the end of the month and moving forward with the structure in the fall.” Bonser said that the hotel is expected to be complete during the second half of 2016.
• More on the young red-tailed hawk since it doesn’t all fit into one bullet point … Baby Delamar’s health has been touch-and-go since the rescue on Friday, July 10. There has been some positive news, but as of Sunday, the young bird has been back on oxygen for several days. On Saturday it was able to eat on its own but on Sunday doctors had to resort to force-feeding again. There has yet to be a conclusive diagnosis of what is wrong with the hawk, although there have been several theories. Once the tree is cut down, Dr. Joan Morrison, Professor of Biology at Trinity College, will be given the opportunity to examine the nest to see if any clues can be found there.
• ICYMI: We caught up with the owners of the new Prospect Café last week. Renovations are progressing well and brothers Paul and Jeff Emery expect to open sometime in August. Click here for the details and a sneak peak inside!
• Also ICYMI (we had a lot of business-related stories this past week), West Hartford resident David Benoit, co-founder of Wearsafe Labs, has developed a revolutionary personal safety device called the Wearsafe Tag. Target markets include college students and outdoor enthusiasts, but many more will likely feel “empowered” and safer knowing that they can easily and inconspicuously gain the support of a trusted network of friends or family if they feel threatened. Click here for the complete story.
• Artisan Vapor will hold its grand opening and ribbon-cutting on Thursday, July 23, at 5:30 p.m. What is reportedly the “largest retail store-based electronic cigarette distributor” is located at 27 LaSalle Rd. in West Hartford Center, and according to a news release features “name-brand-quality products such as Joyetech, Kanger, Smok and Innokin. Artisan strives to cater everyone whether they are novice or experienced vaping pros.” Music, food, and cloud and coil building contests will be part of the grand opening celebration. Click here to RSVP on the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce website.
• Simsbury Bank may soon have a branch office in West Hartford. According to an article in the Hartford Courant last week, Simsbury Bank has applied to regulators for permission to open its fifth branch office in the former People’s United spot at 1232 Farmington Ave.
• Congratulations to Eric M. Zachs of West Hartford, elected in June as the next chair of the board of directors of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford. Click here for more details from the Hartford Courant.
• Congratulations also go out to Charles Mathews of West Hartford. According to the Hartford Business Journal, Mathews was awarded the 2014 Robert C. Knox, Jr. YMCA Distinguished Leadership Award at the YMCA of Greater Hartford’s 162nd annual meeting.

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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