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

Happy 250th to the USA! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday celebration.

There isn’t a ton of business news this week because of the holiday – and I was only in town on Monday and Tuesday last week so I didn’t get any construction photos – but we’ve still got a few great updates to share in the bullet points below.

I’ve been enjoying some time with family on Nantucket – where it was quite a bit cooler than West Hartford (still hotter than usual for early July) but it definitely wasn’t quiet while I was away. I’ve reported on two fires, a fatal crash that tragically resulted in the death of a beloved priest, and the release of Seyo Cecunjanin from ICE custody.

And late afternoon on Sunday, as I was getting ready to sit down to start writing this column, I instead ended up standing in the driveway waiting for the fire department. We smelled gas and didn’t want to take any chances. Turned out it was the ignitor to the furnace (which runs on propane) but even though it didn’t turn out to be a dangerous situation, the fire department said I did the right thing by calling them.

Other than Sunday’s excitement and the need to report on the news taking place in West Hartford, we have had some great beach days, ran the Firecracker 5K on Saturday (I was 10 seconds faster than last year, and seventh in my age group), watched fireworks, ate ice cream, and enjoyed some frosty beers and delicious but not necessarily healthy food.

We have had quite a few comments in the past week – but no trolls – 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 Please comply or your comment will not be published.

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.

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:

• After noticing the recent repainting of the exterior of the building in The Corbin Collection that is being built out for Level99, and seeing some new sign permit applications on the town website, I reached out to spokesperson Rachel Scheinfeld for an update about the opening plans. “We continue to make progress on our construction and are still on track for an end-of-year opening. We can’t wait to open to the West Hartford community,” she said in an email last week. Level99, an experiential business that combines dining with other activities, will offer more than 50 “mental and physical challenges set in immersive artistic environments” in the 41,426 square foot space that can accommodate up to 600 players plus 250 diners in the restaurant area which will be a collaboration with Two Roads Kitchen & Tap. Level99 currently has four other locations – Natick, MA; Providence, RI; Tysons Corner, VA; and Disney Springs, FL. More information about Level99 can be found here.

• Saralí Shapewear has now opened at 5 Newington Road (corner of New Britain Avenue, behind Jerry’s Artarama and right across from CVS). According to the the company’s website, Sarali Shapewear “is a family-owned company dedicated to empowering women through high-quality, Colombian-made shapewear. Designed with the highest standards of craftsmanship and innovation, our products provide comfort, confidence, and support for every stage of a woman’s journey – from post-surgical recovery to everyday wear. We strive to exceed expectations by delivering superior products that enhance both beauty and well-being.”

• The property at 39 Highland Street, formerly an independent senior living facility called The Holiday, was sold in March 2-25 for $2,144,000 to CT01 Corp., which is owned by New York-based real estate investment firm Bluevale Capital. The 30,420-square-foot concrete building is three stories, was constructed in 1967, and is on land measuring 0.75 acres directly across from Bristow Middle School, and at the time included 42 resident rooms with bathrooms, a commercial kitchen, large common areas, and an elevator. The new owner had not publicly stated plans for the future use of the building, but I saw a post on social media a few days ago advertising that “The Highland Rose” was coming soon to West Hartford, and would be offering all-inclusive independent living for seniors in studio and one-bedroom apartment units. According to the website, “Homecare Hub’s Supportive Living residences and senior living apartments at The Highland Rose offer a high-quality, high-value housing and care alternative to the traditional long-term care you’re used to. Receive personalized and dedicated home care with the comfort and safety of an intimate setting that feels like home.”

• The Lillian Fund, the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford’s giving circle for women, awarded grants that support trauma therapy for children in Israel and an educational program for mothers and children in Hartford. The grants were presented to House of Bread and Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund during a gathering of Lillian Fund donors and their families and friends, on June 16, at the Mandell Jewish Community Center. “The Lillian Fund invites women to not only be generous, but to decide together how they want to solve challenges and create the world we want to see,” said Kathryn Gonnerman, President and CEO of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford. “These grants will provide two nonprofit recipients with the funding to tackle tremendous needs and deliver hope to women and children.” The Lillian Fund is led by two volunteer co-chairs, Corey Glider and Debbie Mehlman, who offer meaningful experiences for participants through the lens of Jewish values. Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund in Israel received a $10,000 grant for Restoring Childhood, a six-month trauma therapy program serving high-risk Israeli children who have been deeply affected by the psychological impact of the ongoing war in Israel. House of Bread in Hartford received a $5,000 grant for Learning Together, an educational program to improve English language skills, literacy, and socialization of women and children from Hartford’s immigrant and refugee community.

• The first concert in the 2026 Elizabeth Park Summer Concert Series was postponed due to weather last week, so this Wednesday will actually be the first of the year. From an email: Known as “The Singing Principal,” and dubbed the “Queen of Summer Concerts” by the Hartford Courant in 2013, Latanya Farrell has emerged as a band leader full of energy and uniquely gifted at engaging audiences. With her home-grown group of musicians, Latanya blends original music with popular cover tunes, playing to packed houses throughout New England. Her award-winning vocal talent and style has been influenced by Whitney Houston, Natalie Cole, Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey and Jill Scott. With performance roots in her family church and community events, her career took off after she was named Champion of the 2003 Connecticut Start Search competition. More recently, Latanya has released her debut album “Feelin’ Alright.” Uplifting melodies and powerful vocals are the hallmark of her songs about life, love, and happiness.

• ICYMI, We-Ha.com intern Maddie O’Connell checked out Chef Giaa‘s cooking demonstration at the Blue Back Farmers’ Market on Sunday. Read her story here.
• ICYMI, West Hartford resident and owner of Portobello Restaurant and The Laundry Room on the Ave, Seyo Cecunjanin, was recently taken into custody and detained by ICE. He was released on Thursday and is back home with his family and back to work.
• 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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