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

As I write this column on Sunday afternoon, I’m still in a dream-like haze after spending the most wonderful weekend celebrating our son Sam’s marriage to Kate Novak. The weather was absolutely perfect, and the venues (Tate’s in Middletown for the welcome dinner and St. Clement’s Castle in Portland for the wedding) were just spectacular.

I’ll give proper shout-outs on my personal social media to all of the vendors once the professional photos are received from Brian Ambrose Photography and reviewed by Sam and Kate, but the newlyweds did give me permission to share a few that I and other family members took, that you will see below.

My apologies in advance for any typos in today’s column. Between staying up late on Friday night after the welcome party, waking up early Saturday morning – hours before I had to have hair and makeup done because I was so excited for the wedding – and staying up even later on Saturday night after dancing for hours and continuing the celebration at the Tavern at the Inn at Middletown (where I *may* have sang some karaoke with my new daughter-in-law), I had a total of 7 hours of sleep combined for those two nights and am exhausted! I woke up at 5:30 a.m. Sunday thinking about all of the memories that were created over the weekend and the special moments – Sam and Kate’s beautiful and heartfelt vows that had everyone tearing up, the speeches, the dancing – and having this chance to celebrate with family and friends. We love sharing the story of how Sam and Kate met on the beach when they were babies, and how our families became close friends after seeing each other for a week or two every year, and how eventually Sam and Kate’s relationship turned into much more than friendship – and now that they are married our close friends truly are family!

I didn’t have a chance to dine at any West Hartford restaurants last week, but did enjoy some chicken tenders and fries on Thursday night at “Banana Ball” at Dunkin Park. (We had gotten tickets long ago through the lottery, and didn’t want to miss the chance to attend even though it made the weekend even more of a whirlwind.) Included in the photos below is my favorite food pic from the wedding – the “donut wall” (Neil’s Donuts in Middletown) that exceeded even Sam’s wildest dreams.

No trolls this past week and thank you to all who comment with your full names, and avoid making personal attacks! Please note that it has been our policy for several years that full names be used when commenting directly on the site – with the exception of those commenters who were grandfathered when they commented prior to the policy being updated. Please comply or your comment will not be published.

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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:

• Ramp Fitness is preparing for the soft opening of a fitness training facility that owner Becky Hoisl Johnston believes is the first-of-its kind – certainly in this area – offering adaptive and standard cardio and strength equipment together in one space. I actually met Becky when she was in kindergarten (she and my daughter Katie went all the way through West Hartford Public Schools together and played sports together as well), and she has always been a fabulous athlete, from the earliest days to her standout play for the Conard High School soccer, basketball, and softball teams. She graduated in 2013 and went on to play softball at Catholic University, became an elementary school teacher in Washington, DC, and was a varsity softball coach in Arlington, VA. But after seven years, it was time to pursue her longtime dream – an idea that really started taking shape when she was running races with a partner who used a wheelchair, but she couldn’t find a place where they could both work out and train together. “At that point I had an idea. Training for races would be great if we could go to the gym together. I found spaces that were explicitly adaptive, and gyms with standard equipment, but none with them side-by-side,” said Becky. She started brainstorming with friends and family. “I was surrounded by a lot of people with a lot of ideas,” she said. She had worked with special needs children at Beachland Buddies during high school and college, and had worked volunteered with Special Olympics, iCan Bike (which is run by the Miracle League of Connecticut), and Unified Sports. She decided to leave the education field, became certified as a personal trainer and an inclusive fitness specialist (NASM and ACSM/NCHPAD certified), and in 2024 moved back to Connecticut with her now-husband where her family still lived in West Hartford because here she had so many great connections and it’s such a supportive environment. “My whole life I have had fitness, exercise, sports for fun,” she said, but they didn’t exist in ways that are accessible to all. “I started the hunt for a space, did that for about a year,” she said, and ultimately signed the lease at 635 New Park Avenue, Building 3. The equipment has all been delivered, and she is gearing up for a soft opening with a grand opening hopefully around Aug. 15. The space is designed so everyone can get what they need. There are treadmills next to machines that those in wheelchairs can use, a stationary bike next to a hand cycle that can be used for flexibility as well as strength training, and even an area featuring sensory items for those who need a break. There are chair options at all stations to work on increasing functional mobility, and the equipment can be used by kids as young as elementary school through any age, including the elderly. Seat belts and harnesses are available for all cardio machines, she said, and she was especially excited to demonstrate the Promaxima – where each station is easily modified to be used by clients in wheelchairs as well as those with full mobility. “I knew that a lot of this technology existed,” she said, but no recreational spaces where it’s all together. “Everyone is encouraged to move whenever they can. Movement is good for everyone,” said Becky. Ramp Fitness will offer several types of memberships: one-on-one personal training for all ages/needs ($75 per session); group training for 10-12 at a time with a variety of class options that allow for varied degrees of mobility in a “circuit/boot camp hybrid” ($25 per class); and open gym ($50 per month). She’s doing all of the personal training right now, but plans to bring in another trainer as well. A cartoon created by Michael Giangreco and illustrated by Kevin Ruelle was the inspiration for the name and tagline – “a place where we can all go to work out” – Becky said. The cartoon shows a snow-covered entrance to a school and someone shoveling the stairs. A kid in a wheelchair asks for the ramp to be shoveled and the person with the shovel said he will do it as soon as he finishes the stairs for all of the other kids who are waiting. The kid in the wheelchair says, “But if you shovel the ramp we can all get in.” The logo, she said, “is a ramp turned on its side – so everyone is om a level playing field.” For more information, visit the Ramp Fitness website., email [email protected], or call 860-993-5194.

• I’ve noticed quite a lot of activity lately at at 104 Mayflower Street, and I’ve also started getting lots of questions from the community about what’s happening there. Andrei Brel, founder and president of Juniper Homecare, purchased the property that was formerly the long-vacant St. Agnes Home for $1.5 million in 2024, and now has permits and has started the redevelopment process. “We’re converting the former St. Agnes Home into nine apartments, and the project is called Mayflower by the Park,” Brel shared in an email when I reached out for details. “We’re on track to finish construction this fall, with rental inquiries opening soon. We’ve put a lot of thought into making this a standout property. All the cabinets, appliances, finishes, and doors are made in Italy, and residents will have access to a gym, sauna, pet washing station, dog park, and a community pool next door,” he said. “The location is a big part of the appeal too – it’s near Beachland Park and walking distance to DORO and other neighborhood favorites. We’re also excited that a state-of-the-art community center is planned as a future neighbor to the property,” said Brel. I’ll definitely provide updates as the project progresses.

• Continuing down Mayflower to New Britain Avenue, right across the intersection is another project that’s generating plenty of questions. The building at 1161 New Britain Avenue formerly housed a Bank of America branch that closed years ago, and it’s being transformed into Clarivision Eyecare. There’s a 550-square-foot addition being constructed, plus renovations to the interior of the space. Dr. Hongping Xu , who purchased the building in February 2025, established Clarivision in 2020 and has been practicing in Cheshire for several years. According to the application with the town, they plan to provide eye exams, treatment for ocular disease, myopia, and services for those with low vision, and plan to expand services in the future to treat patients with “binocular vision problems and patients who suffer from vision disorders caused by brain trauma.” They will also offer prescription glasses and contact lenses and plan to be open six days a week.

• Last week’s column featured The Brownstone, and I have an update! They have received their provisional liquor license, so will be serving alcohol when they have their soft opening at 7 South Main Street on Tuesday, July 28, owner Matt Rusconi said. Hours will be limited during the soft opening phase over the next month or so, but they will open Tuesday at 11 a.m. and I plan to check it out and provide updates ASAP.

• Blue Back Square is bringing the community together for one of the most anticipated events of the summer – the annual Blue Back Block Party on Thursday, July 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. According to a news release, Isham Road will be closed to traffic and transformed into a lively community gathering space where guests can enjoy an evening of free, family-friendly summer fun. The celebration will feature complimentary food samples from Blue Back Square restaurants, live music by the popular band Shaded Soul, children’s activities, arts and crafts with RiseUP for Arts, interactive experiences, and more for guests of all ages. Visitors are invited to stroll through the event, explore local businesses, enjoy live entertainment, and celebrate summer in the heart of Blue Back Square. Admission is free and open to the public, making it the perfect opportunity for families, friends, and neighbors to come together for an unforgettable summer evening.

The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford announced in a news release that two new members have been appointed to its Board of Trustees, Ron Cipriano and Eric Zachs. Cipriano and Zachs join a board of leaders who are guiding the strategic growth of the Jewish Community Foundation, building permanent charitable resources, fostering generosity across generations, and investing in Jewish life today and in the future. “With a track record of strategic leadership, Ron and Eric are both dedicated to the long-term growth of our Jewish community,” said Walter Harrison, Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford and President Emeritus of the University of Hartford. “Their vision and expertise will position the Jewish Community Foundation for new approaches that address the challenges we are facing today and ensure a vibrant future.” Cipriano is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at NEFCO in East Hartford, a construction supply company. He joined the company in 2010 as Director of Technical Sales and has held several key leadership roles, including Senior Vice President of Operations and General Counsel. Over the years, Cipriano has played a pivotal role in expanding NEFCO’s geographic footprint, improving supply chain efficiency, and strengthening risk management strategies. Cipriano serves on the Board of Trustees at Chabad House of Greater Hartford and at Kingswood Oxford School. He previously served as Business Partnership Chair and as a Board Member at the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford. Cipriano holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Michigan and a JD from the University of Miami. He lives in Avon with his wife, Alisha, and their three children. Zachs is an entrepreneurial innovator who has founded and grown more than eight companies. As Co-chairman and Co-founder of Torrecom Partners LP., he has overseen the expansion of wireless infrastructure across 10 countries in Latin America. He is Co-Chairman of MCM Holdings, LLC, Managing Partner of Communications Tower Group, LLC, and a board member of Enlight, a developer of solar and battery energy storage (BESS) systems in Mexico and Chile. Zachs served as President and Chief Operating Officer at Message Center Beepers, the largest privately-owned paging company in the United States. Zachs is a board member of the Root Center for Advanced Recovery. He previously served as board chair and board member of the Hartford Region of Hartford Health Care, Chairman of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, and President of the Mandell Jewish Community Center. He also served on the Board of Directors of the UConn Foundation and St. Francis Hospital Foundation. Eric has been married for over 40 years to Jessica, and they have three children and spouses, and three grandchildren.

• Congratulations to West Hartford resident Wes Alexander, who was re-elected as the Chair of the Board of theUrban League of Greater Hartford at its 2026 Annual meeting in June. Alexander is the Vice President of Workforce Solutions at Travelers in Hartford, CT.His department is dedicated to supporting the global company’s employees and ensuring a positive and equitable workplace environment.He has worked at Travelers for 12 years and, prior to this job, was a Second Vice President of Employee Relations at the corporation. Previously, Alexander held positions at Liberty Mutual Insurance, including as the Director of Employee Relations, Manager of Benefits Administration, and In-House Employment Law Counsel. He also worked as Senior Corporate Counsel for Circuit City, and in Labor and Employment Litigation in law firms that include Thelen, and Mintz Levin. In addition to his leadership at the Urban League of Greater Hartford, Alexander is a member of the Connecticut Governor’s Workforce Council. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Social Impact Partners for Connecticut, where he chairs the nonprofit’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee. In addition, West Hartford resident Zillah Matare Fluker, Ph.D., Founder of activate|elevate, LLC powered by Martin Loyd, Inc., was elected as a new member of the Board of the Urban League of Greater Hartford at its 2026 Annual meeting in June, Fluker is a higher education executive, corporate leadership strategist, entrepreneur, and community advocate whose career spans both higher education and corporate America. She is the founder of activate|elevate, LLC powered by Martin Loyd, Inc., where she leads Higher Education, Leadership and Philanthropy Strategy, and focuses on technology solutions for leadership strategy, institutional visibility, executive positioning, and organizational impact. “We are excited to welcome the expertise and vision of our officers and our new Board members as our organization enters a new year of empowerment,” reflects David Hopkins, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Urban League of Greater Hartford. “I am excited to work with all of them and our dedicated staff as we conclude another decade of the agency’s legacy of impact.”

• This looks like fun! Salt + Lime (179 Park Road) is offering free salsa dancing lessons on Sunday afternoons. See the flyer below for details.

• More great progress of the construction of the new Animal Control facility on Brixton Street!

• Progress has also continued on the construction that is taking place as part of the West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan. More of the sidewalk on the south side of Farmington Avenue between Music & Arts and Jenny Andre Hair & Skin Spa has been completed, including near Zohara. When I did my weekly progress check last Wednesday, the contractors had just finished installing the new concrete sidewalks in front of a stretch of businesses – and there were wooden plank “bridges” in place to provide access to the front doors. Also happening concurrently is paving of Farmington Avenue east of Main Street, where a separated bike lane is being installed, and much of that work is complete. Please note that all businesses remain open and accessible during the construction!

• ICYMI, the Barnes & Noble store at Westfarms will be opening on Wednesday at 10 a.m., and local author David Borges will assist in the ribbon cutting, and will be signing copies of his acclaimed book, UConn Basketball: An Illustrated Timeline. Read the full story here.
• Click here to listen to the latest episode of On The Scene featuring hosts Tom Hickey and Bob Carr who welcome Bernadette Grecki, Executive Director of the Advertising Club of Connecticut, for a conversation about connection, opportunity, and the future of Connecticut’s advertising community. All “On the Scene” podcasts can be found on the bottom of the We-Ha.com homepage.

• Did you know …

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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