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

Wow … the next few months of national politics is certainly going to be interesting. As I was writing this introduction on Sunday afternoon – leading with my comments about the weather – the texts and breaking news alerts from media outlets starting blowing up my phone with the news about President Joe Biden dropping out of the presidential race. I’m going to leave the reporting, and commentary, to the experts.

We have had some really hot, sticky weather (not that I am complaining, although I will say that I am very grateful that we finally added central air conditioning to our second floor last year) – and I was very thankful when the humidity finally broke at the end of last week and we could open the windows for a bit.

I receive “informative” emails with random “facts” pretty much every day (I think I have previously shared a few tidbits such as that West Hartford is not listed as a top town for vampires) – and a recent email from “cabinet manufacturer Fabuwood identified the most perfect evening of summer in each state for an outdoor meal.” I have no idea why this is relevant to a cabinetmaker but in any case you might be interested to know that today, Monday, July 22, 2024, is forecast to be “Connecticut’s Most Perfect Evening of the Year.” The email goes on to say that Fabuwood “determined the ideal nighttime temperatures for alfresco dining to be around 75°F, and combined this with the date with the least chance of rain. This allowed them to map out the data and pinpoint the most perfect evenings of the summer in each state where temperatures are closest to 75°F and when the chances of rainfall are most limited.”

The Weather Channel app on my phone shows a low of 71°F for Monday night, and when I see that lows aren’t going into the 60s, that means the dew point and humidity are high – which to me would not be perfect outdoor dining weather. But Ted and I do try to eat outside whenever we can – and we also drink our morning coffee on our patio in weather than many would consider far from perfect. We did have dinner outside at Sparrow on Saturday night, after the rain, when it was crazy humid and they had to dry off the table and chairs before seating us. The food was great – and also below are some photos from a lunch at Iron Horse Sports Pub with some members of the We-Ha.com team early last week. (The veggie burger without the bun was NOT my lunch; I had the salad with the strips of rare tuna). Yes, I did eat a lot of Brussels sprouts last week. And I’ve included a photo of my chicken bowl from Chipotle – take-out on Friday night after the circus, which I have written about below.

Brussels sprouts at Sparrow with cajun spice, pickled red onion, and buttermilk ranch. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

New Park Brewing Cloudscapes at Sparrow. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

The Elote pizza at Sparrow includes sweet corn, pickled Fresno peppers, fontina, lime crema, piquillo aioli, cojita, tajin, and cilantro. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

BBQ beef pizza at Sparrow includes braised beef; gouda, cheddar, and mozzarella cheese; red onions, pickles jalapeños, and house BBQ sauce. Photo credit; Ronni Newton

Brussels sprouts from Iron Horse Sports Pub. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Rare tuna salad at Iron Horse Sports Pub. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Cheesesteak sandwich at Iron Horse Sports Pub. Photos credit: Ronni Newton

Naked veggie burger and salad at Iron Horse Sports Pub. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chicken bowl from Chipotle. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

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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].

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Here’s this week’s Buzz:

Brenda Delahunty, who rents one of the booths and is the weekend attendant, shares how West Hartford Market Place, at 25 Talcott Road, is thriving after its launch 6 months ago. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Exactly six months ago in this column (Jan. 22, 2024) I featured West Hartford Market Place – a shared indoor merchant space that had just opened at 25 Talcott Road – and I’m pretty excited that the story at least in part helped put the business on the map. On Saturday there was a “Meet the Merchants” event and I was excited to go back and see how West Hartford Market Place has expanded, from four rented booths to 25 rented booths plus several merchants leasing wall space. They are no longer holding monthly auctions, and the former stage is now booth space as well. “We have lots of vintage antiques, we have some great books, some collectibles, jewelry, and a baseball-themed booth. We like the variety,” said Brenda Delahunty, who is the weekend attendant and also leases a booth for her antiques business. Because there is an attendant, the merchants don’t need to man their booths, and there’s also a “Showcase Wall” (see featured photo at the top of the column) and some showcase booths with contributions from all of the merchants. West Hartford resident Dee Newton, who operates a business called “Deelightfully Made” featuring “things I make and things I acquire” at the West Hartford Market Place, said she used to be on the craft show circuit but appreciates the convenience of this venue. There are quite a lot of other West Hartford residents who are leasing booths, including Phil Papadakis, who switches merchandise back and forth between here and a place he has in Clinton; the “Rummaging Realtor” Sherri Schwartz; Jason Craig, who operates “A Good Find” and said having the venue a mile away from his house is perfect; and Jerry Roberts, who not only operates his booth, Civilization Books, but also serves as the Thursday and Friday attendant and resident greeter. “I try to get books that cover a whole range of subjects, but I curate them so they are interesting,” he said of the books he finds mostly at estate sales and tag sales, noting that a number of volumes came from professors who were retiring. There’s lots of local history, and he’s got an extensive collection of vintage comic books, too. Roberts said he was selling on e-bay for about eight years, and always wanted a brick and mortar location but the climate isn’t right. “Then this came up, and I live about a half mile away,” he said. Roberts’ wife, Emily, provides a lot of technology support. “She’s the glue. Jerry’s the face,” Delahunty said, adding that the entire team at West Hartford Market Place works really well together. Some of the other merchants include Noreen Simmons, who used to sell out of Blaze & Bloom Vintage, which operated at 485 New Park Avenue. Her booth is filled with “mid-century stuff, lots of kitschy magazines, fun clothes, and collectibles,” she said. Kim Green, a former West Hartford resident who used to have a space for her “Zen and Now Vintage” at 485 New Park, is taking a booth at West Hartford Marketplace on Aug. 1.  Michael Hanson, whom many people know from the 25 years he has worked at Crown Market, mans his collectibles booth (he also has vintage record albums) at West Hartford Market Place on Sundays, when Crown is closed. “This place is like family. People like what they’re looking for and I like to see people happy,” said Ricky Semprit Jr., who is grateful for the opportunity to have a way to sell some of what he has been collecting since he was a young child. West Hartford Market Place is open four days a week – from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, follow West Hartford Market Place on Facebook or call 860-214-9568. More photos can be found at the end of the column.

Dee Newton stands in her “Deelightfully” Made booth at West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Jerry Roberts stands in his Civilization Books booth. West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Michael Hanson operates a collectibles booth at West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Noreen Simmons stands in front of a variety of items for sale in her booth at West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Some of the items available at Sherri Schwartz’s “Rummaging Realtor” booth. West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Our family (especially Ted, who helped deliver furniture to the new residences of three formerly homeless people/families last week) has been involved as volunteers for A Hand Up for many years, since before the organization became part of Journey Home. We were very excited to hear their good news that they have just acquired a new warehouse at 595 New Park Avenue, and will start moving everything into that space beginning Aug. 1. “We had two warehouses, but we moved out of the one with the leak in April,” said Journey Home Deputy Director Sara Wilson, referencing one of the two spaces the organization had been leasing at 635 New Park Avenue where a leak that the landlord failed to address resulted in significant mold and water damage to a large quantity of donated goods. The lease on the remaining warehouse expires on Aug. 31, and Wilson said over the course of August they hope to move everything from that space and the storage units they have rented to the new warehouse. “It’s vacant right now. The owners are doing a clean-out,” Wilson said of the new space, which will also have an office for the staff of A Hand Up, who operate the donation and delivery portion of the operation. “It’s such great real estate, a perfect location there,” Wilson said. Journey Home had recently moved their main offices to space leased from St. James’s Episcopal Church on Farmington Avenue, and they will continue to keep the offices there. Journey Home will be adding new signage to their very visible location, and plans are to host an open house at the 595 New Park space on Oct. 23, and to also have an event with nearby WeHa Brewing & Roasting.

Future Journey Home warehouse at 595 New Park Avenue. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• The owner of Connecticut Home Interiors, Tom Hall, is planning to sell the building the retail business occupies at 830 Farmington Avenue and to retire, but has committed to keeping the store open and business going for a full year after the buildings sell, with lease-back agreements written into the contract. It’s been on the market for a while, but as of last week Michael Guidicelli of Regions Commercial Real Estate Advisors took over the listing for the store as well as warehouse at 453 New Park Avenue. In a phone interview, Guidicelli noted that Hall is now 81, and has decided it’s time to relax and enjoy life. “This is not a distress sale by any means. He just wants to do it the right way,” Guidicelli said, and that will include the full year of operation post-sale of the buildings to ensure that all custom orders and customer needs are fulfilled. There’s already a reserve in place on the warehouse space, which is up for auction on Aug. 14. The terms dictate that the sale will close within 30 days of the auction, and Guidicelli said he does not think it will remain a warehouse use. “The whole area has changed,” he said of 453 New Park Avenue, which is diagonally across the street from the Flatbush Avenue CTfastrak station. There are also other adjacent properties that might possibly become available to combine with that space, he said, and “I see it as conversion to retail.” Guidicelli said he spoke to the town, and while it is noted on the listing for both the warehouse and the Connecticut Home Interiors store that the properties could potentially be residential, (the listing for 830 Farmington Avenue states the “City of West Hartford ALLOWS and ENCOURAGES Residential Conversion to Multifamily”), he told me that he understands that the buyer would have to work within the town’s ordinances and zoning requirements. “No potential buyer has reached out to us,” Town Manager Rick Ledwith said.

Connecticut Home Interiors, 830 Farmington Avenue. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Connecticut Home Interiors, 830 Farmington Avenue. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Connecticut Home Interiors warehouse, 453 New Park Avenue. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Last week I reported on the sale of 175-177 Park Road to SARJAC Partners LLC, and several readers expressed concern about the status of the Second Chance Shop since a “Commercial Space for Lease” sign is out front. “We’re safe right now. Everybody in our building got new three-year leases,” said Jill Scully, who is chair the Second Chance Shop, which is a mission of The Village for Families and Children. Scully said the sign is for space currently occupied by the Liljedahl Brothers contracting company, which will be moving. (More detail to come.) The Second Chance Shop is “doing really well,” said Scully, and they welcome donations as well as shoppers. Hours are Thursday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit the website for more details.

The building at 175-177 Park Road has been sold. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

• Blue Back Square is hosting a weekly lunchtime jazz series on the stage from noon to 1 p.m. every Thursday, through Sept. 1. “Every week, a different jazz ensemble will perform live on the stage and guests are invited to come, listen to the music, have lunch outside and enjoy!” said Elizabeth Zigmont, a spokesperson for Blue Back Square.

Courtesy image

• One of our loyal readers checked with employees of Santander Bank regarding the status of the ATM at 1040 Boulevard. When that location closes the intent is for the two ATMs in the lobby to remain, and if not, the Santander ATM inside CVS will be upgraded, she said.

Santander plans to close the branch at 1040 Boulevard as of Sept. 19, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

• After writing about FL!P Circus, Ted and I attended the show on Friday night. I’d say that most of the people there had kids with them – but definitely not all – and it was a lot of fun. Being so close to the stage was great, and you could really see the expressions of the performers and the exceptional physical strength and balance it takes to complete their acts. There are two more shows left (Monday and Tuesday) before the run is over. For all of the details about FL!P Circus, including how to buy tickets, click here.

FL!P Circus. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

FL!P Circus. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

FL!P Circus. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

FL!P Circus. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

FL!P Circus. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Conard graduate and Yale-bound Riley Fox is among those featured in the inaugural print issue of CT Hoops Magazine – which has been launched by Anthony Price, who also runs the Basketball Capital Pro-Am. The magazine focuses on “all things basketball in Connecticut.” The first print issue includes a cover story about Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun, and articles about University of Saint Joseph’s Maya Slisz and Kazel Stewart of Southern Connecticut State University. For more information about the magazine, click here.

Courtesy of Anthony Price

• There is another parking option in the center on evenings and weekends. LAZ Parking is has an agreement to operate the lot behind Bricco and the other businesses along the east side of LaSalle Road and is offering $10 flat fee parking on evenings and weekends. The lot is accessible from the Memorial Road connector.

LAZ Parking is offering an option for visitors to park behind the businesses on LaSalle road in the Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• West Hartford residents were among the 150 people who recently attended the Community Partners in Action Celebrate! Prison Arts 2024 Summer Soiree at the Pond House Cafe at Elizabeth Park. The event, which raised over $60,000 for the Prison Arts Program, featured the music of Steve Moran, the Matt Dicks’ Speak-Up Storytellers, and the artwork of Vincent Nardone, Tracie Bernardi Guzman, Santos Cancel, Dennis Coleman, Mark Despres, Jeff McEwen, Yongmi Olsen, James Pace, James Pinder, Marcial Salgado, David Saucier, and James Taylor. Following opening refreshments and appetizers where guests placed bids in a silent auction, guests heard remarks from CPA’s Executive Director Beth Hines, Operations Director Deb Rogala, and Board Chair Michael Kearney. CPA’s Jeff Greene, Program Manager of the Prison Arts Program, shared the history of the program and the upcoming Annual Show at CT State Community College Manchester, that runs Sept. 26-Nov. 9: “Since 1978, the success of our Prison Arts Program is the consistent connection that the program offers those incarcerated. We often hear people say, ‘the human spirt is indefatigable and uncrushable.’ Let me tell you, the human spirit is totally crushable, and it’s often crushed. CPA’s Prison Arts helps to counter that, by giving people hope as it connects people to do great things, and I’m sincerely thankful to our donors who contribute to this effort and the extraordinary impact they make with their contribution.” The mission of the Prison Art Program is to transform the prison and the lives of all those living and working inside it through the arts. This colorful exhibition featured 14 newly framed art pieces from the Prison Arts Program, the first time that these works were ever exhibited as part of the ongoing exhibitions of CPA’s Permanent Collection. Thanks to the generous support from individuals and foundations, this remarkable collection travels throughout the State and the nation and is considered a jewel of Connecticut, as the collection is a testament of the program’s profound work, and of the many people incarcerated in our prisons.

From left: Austin Perkins of Smith Brothers Insurance (West Hartford); Kevin Grenham of One Digital; Elizabeth Grenham (West Hartford); Ed Rosenthal, Esq. (West Hartford); Noely Sanchez Velez (East Hartford). Courtesy photo

From left: CPA Operations Director Deb Rogala, CPA Board Members Tom O’Brien, Cynthia Crouch, Christy Miller (West Hartford), Sue Garten, Esq, Karen Senteio, Gus Marks-Hamilton, Michael Gambino, and CPA Executive Director Beth Hines. Courtesy photo

• ICYMI, there was quite a lot of business news last week, including the announcement that The Corner Pug will be closing for good on Aug. 17, 2024 after nearly a quarter century in business. Read the complete story here.
• On the heels of the announcement of The Corner Pug closing came the news that celebrated chef Ashley Flagg plans to open her first restaurant, The Laurel, in that space at the corner of New Britain Avenue and New Park Avenue. The full story can be found here.
• Also ICYMI, insurance brokerage Lockton has relocated its Connecticut headquarters to Blue Back Square in West Hartford. Details and photos of the state-of-the-art office space can be found here.

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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West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Comic books at the Civilization Books booth at West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Ricky Semprit Jr. West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Baseball-themed booth at West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

This booth is for rent, but the other merchants got together and staged it. West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Vintage items that Dee Newton has acquired at estate sales. West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Deelightfully Made booth. West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Vintage greeting cars at West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Some of the items available at Sherri Schwartz’s “Rummaging Realtor” booth. West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Some of the items available at Sherri Schwartz’s “Rummaging Realtor” booth. West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Some of the items available at Sherri Schwartz’s “Rummaging Realtor” booth. West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Market Place, 25 Talcott Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford Market Place, at 25 Talcott Road, is thriving after its launch 6 months ago. Photo credit: Ronni Newton