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

By Ronni Newton

Please excuse the delayed Business Buzz this week! We figured our readers would be in holiday mode on Monday, so we decided to hold the column for the next newsletter of the work week. Look for the same thing to happen on Independence Day since July 4 is on Monday this year.

Memorial Day has come and gone so in my book it’s officially summer. Even if you adhere to the old-fashioned strict standards of when it’s acceptable to wear white pants and shoes (I spent well over a decade living in the south where that was not as much of a rule, so I’m a bit more flexible than some New Englanders), you’re good to go now.

The heat arrived along with Memorial Day weekend, and every member of my immediate family was lucky enough to go to the beach/shoreline over the past several days – but not all together. Between us we visited beaches in Westbrook, Misquamicut, and Hammonasset, and my daughter also did some boating with a college friend in Norwalk. Thumbs-up all around.

With the exception of Monday morning, it was also a great weekend for outdoor dining around West Hartford and the patios were packed.

Things often slow down in summer, but there are quite a few new businesses that will open over the next several weeks so that won’t be happening in West Hartford anytime soon.

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:

The former Cuvée spot, located on the ground floor of the American Legion building at 37 Raymond Rd., is officially for lease and being managed by RLM Co. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• A few weeks ago we reported that Cuvée, which was located at 37 Raymond Rd., had closed. The building where Cuvée was located is not actually part of Blue Back Square; it’s owned by the American Legion. Post 96 Commander Moe Fradette confirmed that Cuvée closed about a month ago. He said that the principals of the business has pulled out of the day-to-day operations during 2015, and turned the running of the business over to the general manager. “It didn’t work out and they turned the keys over to the Legion,” Fradette said. The American Legion has hired Mike Mahoney of RLM Co. to list the 3,100 square foot space (plus basement space available). “We hope to rent it soon,” said Fradette. A restaurant will be the most likely tenant, but he said that other options would be considered.
  

  The building at 14 Oakwood Ave. that formerly housed Peck & Pour (and Brownstone Cafe prior to that) has reportedly been foreclosed on and there are potential new occupants expressing interest. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• A reader alerted us to some action happening at another former restaurant space in West Hartford. The site at 14 Oakwood Ave. that briefly housed Peck & Pour has been vacant since early 2015. (Peck & Pour had opened in December 2014 in the space that had previously been home to the Brownstone Cafe.) The building was foreclosed on about a week ago, according to a representative of Metro Property Management who was at the site on Tuesday finishing clearing it out. He said that at least potential restaurant tenants have already checked out the space in the past week, so there may be some news to report soon.
• West Hartford-based Filomeno & Company is celebrating its milestone 50th anniversary with “50 Acts of Kindness.” President Thomas Filomeno said in a press release, “We would like to thank our clients and dedicated team members for the successes that Filomeno & Company has had over the years. This milestone is a testament to our mission to passionately serve our clients, our community, our firm and each other.” The “50 Acts of Kindness” will be performed by Filomeno & Company team members, and will include large and small acts ranging from donating non-perishable food items to sending  “Thank You” notes to those serving in the military, to paying it forward by purchasing extra coffee at a coffee shop. The following organization have already been supported by the “50 Acts of Kindness,” Filomeno & Company reports: American Heart Association, A Million Thanks, Beth El Center in Milford, Bridge Family Center in West Hartford, Church Street Eats, Connecticut Humane Society, Connecticut Society of CPAs (CTCPA) Pajama Program, St. Brigid’s School in West Hartford, The Simon Foundation, Inc., Farmington UNICO, Foundation for the Advancement of Catholic Schools, Vietnam Veterans of America, West Haven Emergency Assistance Taskforce, West Hartford Food Pantry, and Wholesome Wave. To follow Filomeno & Company’s “50 Acts of Kindness” campaign, “Like” them on Facebook or visit www.filomeno.com.
• GYMGUYZ West Hartford, a new personal training operation that bring fitness to customers’ doorsteps, opens for business on June 1 according to its Facebook page. Franchise owner Mike Hughes, a West Hartford resident, and he or trainer Chris Lombardi will arrive at your house with the GYMGUYZ van stocked with state-of-the-art equipment. Sessions can be for one person or group workouts, with a focus that can include anything from weight loss to body sculpting and body building to senior fitness. They also do nutritional counseling, deep tissue massage, and will even run birthday parties. For more information call 860-318-2100, or visit the GYMGUYZ website.
• Blaze & Bloom and WIP Fitness are partnering for a “Back Alley Block Party” – a party in the back alley at 485 New Park Ave., West Hartford. The event, scheduled for June 11 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. will feature vintage furniture/accessory store Blaze & Bloom’s annual “Bloom” flea market with vendors like Anchored Salvage, Suburban Restyle, Little Red Dala Designs, Off Key Design, Johnny Frechette, and the house she loved selling locally-made products. WIP Fitness will offer free workouts at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., and noon, and coach Q&A’s and demos from 1 – 2 p.m. Fleet Feet Sports will also be there with apparel and footwear from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Food trucks will also be on site, including West Hartford’s own Iron & Grain’s fabulous food and drink truck and N2 with their cold brew coffee. Additional activities will include chalk painting, fitness demos, giveaways and raffles. Parking is free. For more information visit www.blazeandbloom.com and/or www.wipfitness.com.
• Congratulations to West Hartford-based OBVIA, a company prototyping a new type of wind turbine blade. According to The Day, OBVIA of West Hartford was a $10,000 winner in the state’s “Entrepreneur Innovation Awards,” and also won an extra $2,000 for being selected as “Judges Favorite.”
• From the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce: “Our Golf Tournament sponsorship opportunities are almost SOLD-OUT! All participating sponsors will have their name or logo on our 30th Annual Golf Tournament brochure which will be mailed to over 550 local businesses. If you are interested in sponsoring this event please email us at [email protected] for remaining opportunities. There are tee signs available for $100 each and we hope you will golf with us at the gorgeous Hartford Golf Club on August 29th. If you are not a golfer, that evening’s buffet dinner is our Business Hours for the month! We are also accepting raffle prizes which is a great opportunity to advertise your business to golfer and dinner guests. Registration and Tee Signs HERE!

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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