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

It’s hard to believe it’s already the last week of July. Time flies, summers seem to fly even faster.

Happy second birthday to my grandson! We celebrated at our house on Sunday, and it’s amazing to see how much “Champ” has grown and changed – and brought so much joy into our lives the past two years. It’s also wonderful seeing how much he loves his nearly-6-month-old little sister – who is our daughter’s “mini me” and not surprisingly already starting to crawl!

Perhaps my most exciting experience this past week came when I went to Norfeldt Field to drop off my food scraps in the bin on Thursday afternoon. I’ve certainly seen bears in West Hartford but this one caught me completely by surprise when I spotted it strolling down the Trout Brook Trail as I was getting out of my car! I guess the trail truly is accessible to all. Thankfully I had my phone ready to grab some photos before it headed north under the bridge!

I’ve continued to enjoy as many summer activities as possible, including the Blue Back Summer Block Party on Thursday evening. After that, my friend Laurie and I headed over to Crush Wine Bar to have one last opportunity to enjoy their drinks and food – especially since I had not had a chance to sample the fried chicken. Sadly, they announced last week that Sunday, July 27 would be their last day of service. You can read the story about their closing here, and it also appears as a bullet point below.

I also covered one of my favorite events last week, the iCan Bike camp, where during a week-long program, individuals with special needs learn to ride two-wheelers. I first learned about this program in 2011 when my daughter was a volunteer, and then the following year Katie and her friend, Olivia Proietti, formed a “Kids Helping Kids” club at Conard to fundraise to keep the program going after losing a key sponsor. The progress the kids make – with most succeeding at riding independently – and the smiles on their faces, is just wonderful to see. The story about this year’s program can be found here.

Ted and I went to Leon Restaurant & Bar on Saturday night (45 Raymond Road) and had a great dinner! They’ve updated the menu to feature cuisine from a variety of Latin American countries – including Peru – and they were even holding a Peruvian Independence Day celebration later on Saturday night.

I’ve included an update on the construction in the Center as a bullet point below, and I’m also trying to make even more of a concerted effort than ever before to shop at West Hartford Center businesses. We had already gotten a gift for “Champ” for his birthday, but I found a few things at Lil Hope that I could not resist!

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]. You can also contact Bob if you are interested in becoming a sponsor of a section of the site.

No trolls last week. With some political news coming out in the last week or two we have been getting quite a few comments on articles, and thank you to all who comment with your full names! 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.

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:

• I didn’t think this business was opening until early August, but I was driving down Park Road on Thursday and saw a big “Open” banner flying in front of Ceará Market and immediately parked and went in to check it out. I met owner Lorena Barradas, who said the butcher shop and convenience store had gotten their permits and opened a few days earlier, on Saturday, July 20. It’s located at 74 Park Road, in the space that was formerly Essential Health. Although the owners are Brazilian, and they stock many Brazilian grocery items, Ceará Market is “not just Brazilian” Barradas said, and has products imported from a variety of Hispanic countries as well. “We want to cater to the community,” and Barradas added that she is very appreciative of the opportunity to be in West Hartford, and the support received from the town. This is the third location for Ceará Market, which also has stores in Waterbury and Naugatuck. “We are known for our quality of meats and our prices,” she said. The butcher shop features some items and cuts that you might not find in many other places – including oxtail, tripe, turkey necks and wings, and smoked turkey legs, as well as great beef ribs at an “amazing price” ($7.99 per pound), she added. They also have house-made sausage. You can follow them on Instagram (@Ceara_market) for information about specials. Welcome to West Hartford! A few photos are below, and more are at the end of the column.

• Blow-dry bar and trendy hair salon Pink Soda has just relocated from 990 Farmington Avenue to 36 LaSalle Road – the second-floor space that was formerly Top Level Salon. Pink Soda originally opened a shop in West Hartford in the fall of 2020. Top Level Salon had been in West Hartford Center for 12 years, but expanded and moved this spring to Newington at 36A Fenn Road, right over the West Hartford town line.

• West Hartford resident Ray Hardman said it was a “gut check” when he, along with several colleagues, got laid off as a cost-cutting measure about a year ago from Connecticut Public Broadcasting, where he had worked for 28 years as an on-air host. Prior to that, he had worked for eight years at WFSU-FM in Tallahassee. “All I had known my entire working life was interviews, deadlines, fundraisers, and live broadcasting,” Hardman said. In an email, he shared the following with me: “In the year since, I did a lot of soul searching. Two things became abundantly clear to me. First, I didn’t want to retire. Despite technically being retirement age, I felt like I had a lot more to offer and accomplish. Second, whatever I decided to do next it had to be meaningful and joy-filled. My new business venture accomplishes that, I believe,” said Hardman. “It’s called The Story of a Life. It’s a video service where I interview and record people with the sole purpose of capturing their family stories and history on high quality video and audio. The finished product is a cherished family heirloom that will inform and inspire future generations of that family.” Hardman has done a few test interviews – including with Richard Chiarappa, the music director of the West Hartford Symphony Orchestra and a retired teacher at Kingswood Oxford, and his wife, Martha. “I’ve seen firsthand how powerful these conversations can be, and I am super excited to roll it out,” he said. Snippets from a few the interviews can be found on his website, or at the Story of a Life Facebook page. Hardman hopes to partner with local nonprofits and expand the business to do more West Hartford community-based storytelling projects – offering as many people as possible the opportunity to record their stories for posterity. I wish I had the opportunity to do this with my parents do this before they passed away, and think it’s a wonderful idea!

• Some great updates from Westfarms include the opening of Zumiez, a leading specialty retailer for young men and women who want to express their individuality through apparel, footwear, accessories, and skateboards. The 2,867-square-foot store features the most popular streetwear brands including Affliction, Ed Hardy, Empyre, FB County, Von Dutch, and Plan B skateboards, to name a few, and is located on the lower level of the Nordstrom wing. Retailer Just Cozy is also now open on the lower level of Center Court, next to Claire’s, and sells leggings as well as “cozy” accessories such as scarves, hats, mittens, and blankets.. American Eagle has reopened following a renovation, and both Jamba Juice (lower level, near Arhaus and Texas de Brazil) and and gorjana (upper level at Center Court) will open this summer, within the next few weeks. Jamba Juice offers “whirl’d famous flavors of plant-based smoothies,” bowls with fresh fruit toppings, and protein-packed foods to go. The Atlanta-based company has over 750 locations nationwide. This will be the third location in Connecticut. The Laguana Beach, California-based jewelry brand gorjana is best known for its accessible and interchangeable jewelry pieces that go with everything, and this will be their second Connecticut store, and first to the Hartford market.

• Yelena’s Educational Place is celebrating its 10th anniversary, “10 Wonderful Years of Loving, Learning, and Growing Together,” said owner Yelena Pasternak, who is proud to be the owner of the family childcare program in West Hartford and shared the following reflection: “I’ve had the joy and privilege of working in the early childhood education field since 1992, a journey filled with incredible opportunities, meaningful lessons, and countless moments of joy. As the years go by, I continue to be amazed by the depth, uniqueness, and complexity of each child. Every single day brings laughter, rewarding challenges, and magical ‘aha!’ moments. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to open my own childcare program for toddlers/preschoolers in August 2015, a space where I could provide quality care for other families while also spending meaningful time with my own children when they are not in school. At Yelena’s Educational Place, I’ve created a warm, home-like environment, a true ‘home away from home’ where every child is seen, valued, and supported. Our small group of 5-6 children allows for personalized care, deep connections, and a strong sense of family. I partner closely with parents to support each child’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development. My goal is to help children grow into confident, kind, and curious individuals. Here, at YeEPlace they are not just watched, they are known, loved, and inspired. To me, being an early childhood educator isn’t just a job, it’s a calling. It’s the privilege of nurturing young hearts, guiding curious minds, and laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning and confidence. Why I Chose to Open a Family Childcare Program Because I truly believe in the power of high-quality, loving care during the most important early years of a child’s life. At Yelena’s Educational Place, children feel safe, seen, and supported every single day. You will wonder What Makes Us Special: A nurturing, welcoming space that feels just like home; A close-knit group of 5-6 children means more personal attention and stronger relationships; One consistent Caregiver, where children build deep trust and security with Mrs. Yelena every day; Mixed-Age Learning, where slightly older and younger children learn side-by-side, like siblings in a big, loving family; Whole-Child Approach where we support emotional, social, and academic growth through play and hands-on exploration; Flexible & Personalized Care where routines are tailored to each child’s unique needs and personality; Strong Family Partnerships where We believe in open communication, trust, and true collaboration with parents; Exceptional care and learning without the high cost of large centers.” Yelena aid her  “heart is overflowing with gratitude” to celebrate the 10-year anniversary. “To every family who has been part of this journey—thank you. Your trust, love, and support have made these years truly unforgettable. Together, we’ve created a nurturing space filled with laughter, learning, and love. Let’s continue growing together one giggle, one hug, and one milestone at a time. Come Play, Explore, and Create with us,” she said.

• The Board of the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau (CTMEETINGS) – the state’s official meetings and sports event sales and marketing organization – announced in a press release that West Hartford resident Alex P. Peterson has been elected chair for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Peterson is the Senior Advisor & Director of Government Affairs for the Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA). Tina Mazzullo, Area Director of Sales and Marketing at the Residence Inn Stamford Downtown and the Courtyard Stamford Downtown, has been elected vice chair. Peterson succeeds Thomas Madden, who served as Chair of the CTMEETINGS Board since 2018. “We congratulate Alex Peterson and Tina Mazzullo to these top positions on our Board; both are knowledgeable about what it takes to sell our state to planners as a prime destination for conventions, meetings and sports events,” explains Robert Murdock, President of the Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau (CTMEETINGS). “Alex’s expertise and partnerships within Connecticut’s transportation, business, and hospitality industries are invaluable as we work to secure new and return bookings for our state, and he brings legislative relations experience to this position.”

• The most recent newsletter from the construction manager regarding the Center Infrastructure Master Plan included images of the types of trees that will be planted this fall along LaSalle Road, along with the following message: “We’re excited to announce that new street trees are coming to West Hartford Center late this fall! Street trees play a big role in making West Hartford Center a greener, cooler, and more inviting place! They provide essential shade, improve air quality, enhance natural beauty, and help manage stormwater. These benefits support the town’s goal to preserve open space and create a comfortable, welcoming environment – especially on hot summer days.” The newsletter also indicates that the contractor is making “steady progress” on Phase 2B, which is the west side of LaSalle between Union Kitchen and Arapahoe Road, and really ramping up work on Phase 2A, which is the east side from the intersection of Farmington Avenue through The Friendly Toast (although the work has not quite reached The Friendly Toast yet). Phase 2B should be completed this week, and work on Phase 2A will include continued sidewalk and curb demolition, curb installation and sidewalk pours, and the temporary closure of the parking lot driveway to install the new sidewalk. See photos of the progress below, that were taken last Thursday and Friday.

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  Work on West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan Phase 2B on LaSalle Road, July 24, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

  

  Work on West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan Phase 2B on LaSalle Road, July 24, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

  

  Work on West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan Phase 2B on LaSalle Road, July 24, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

  

  Work on West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan Phase 2B on LaSalle Road, July 24, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

  

  Work on West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan Phase 2A on LaSalle Road, July 24, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

  

  Work on West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan Phase 2A on LaSalle Road, July 24, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

  

  Work on West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan Phase 2A on LaSalle Road, July 25, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

  

  Work on West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan Phase 2A on LaSalle Road, July 25, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

  

  Work on West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan Phase 2A on LaSalle Road, July 25, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• In other construction news, there’s more activity on the site that will be the new Animal Control facility on Brixton Street. The construction trailer for G Donovan is now in use, and further clearing of the lot – which is now completely fenced – took place last week. I’ll continue to check on the status every few days and report back!

• Click here to listen to the most recent episode of the On The Scene podcast, where hosts Tom Hickey and Bob Carr sit down with Mana Zarinejad, Executive Director of the Connecticut Forum, for an insightful and inspiring conversation about the power of dialogue, culture, and community. Mana shares the Forum’s mission to spark meaningful conversations that bridge divides and bring people together through unscripted, thought-provoking events featuring diverse voices – from musicians like Jon Batiste to writers like Elizabeth Gilbert and Roxane Gay. You’ll get a sneak peek at the exciting upcoming season, including guest appearances by Amber Ruffin, Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Jonah Goldberg, environmental advocate Bill McKibben, and historian Jon Meacham. From chefs and artists to policy leaders and political minds, the Connecticut Forum delivers more than just events – it delivers impact. Podcasts can also be found at the bottom of the home page on the revamped We-Ha.com website!

• ICYMI, sadly Crush Wine Bar has closed for good as of Sunday night, just nine months after opening at 37 LaSalle Road. Read the full story here.
• Blue Back Square hosted a great Summer Block Party last week. Details and lots of photos can be found here.
• Journey Home has announced plans to open a thrift store – Home for Good – as a social enterprise business. They hope to secure a location and open in West Hartford by the end of the year. Click here for the complete 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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