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

We’ve just about reached that time of the year when I would like to hit pause and stay here for a while. Even though I haven’t had kids in school for years, so many organizations have their schedules tied to the school year and take a break for the summer. The Board of Education doesn’t have a regularly scheduled meeting until September, and the Town Council only meets once a month during July and August.

Planning for Celebrate! West Hartford won’t start again for months, Conard and Hall graduations have taken place and stories and photo galleries have been published, and fundraising event season will now slow down (although I have a few stories and photo galleries left to publish). Even my regularly-scheduled Monday grandma-ing will be on hiatus for a while (definitely still planning lots of special time with the grand-kidlets) since my son-in-law is a teacher and will be off for the summer after this week.

Yes, the weather has been rather toasty, but I still prefer the heat to the cold so I won’t complain. I’m hoping to spend some more time outside over the next few months, ramping up my running, trying to successfully grow flowers and vegetables this year, and getting some quality beach time. And I am very much looking forward to Sam and Kate’s wedding next month!!

A huge thank you to this semester’s interns from Conard (Kelly Fleischmann and Brooklynn Knowles) and Hall (Kei Caudle and Liv Varellas) for their excellent contributions to the We-Ha.com site over the past several months. And many thanks (and congrats on graduation!) to Cole Schweiger who has continued to help out both before and after his official stint in the internship program. Welcome to Maddie O’Connell, a rising senior at Conard, who will be interning this summer along with UHart journalism student Roz Green whose byline has already appeared a few times in the past several weeks. Maddie already got to work writing the Conard graduation story, and I look forward to working with both interns this summer!

Dinner out this past week was at Spitz on Thursday night (see story and additional photos in the full feature article), and fresh and delicious Mediterranean food was the perfect thing after a hot evening photographing Conard’s graduation. On Saturday night Ted and I attended Playhouse on Park’s “Encore: On Tap” fundraiser at New Park Brewing. That story and photo gallery is coming, but below is a photo of the main dish – a small sampling of the amazing food provided by DORO that we consumed throughout the evening.

Earlier on Saturday, as part of my reporting on the featured item in this column, I enjoyed an excellent cortado at Ji Tea!

I’ve had a few people mention recently that there are too many photos in this column, and that it slows the loading of the content on the site. I love taking photos, but I will try to keep those comments in mind. If I can’t help myself, I’ll at least try to put the “extra” photos at the end so that you can scroll to them if you want to see more.

No trolls last 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.

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:

• Today is the official opening date for Ji Tea, and I am so excited for this new cafe at 5 Sedgwick Road – and not just because it’s walkable from my house! Ji Tea is owned by Gao Cai, a West Hartford resident who partnered with Andy Mozer to open Wabi Sabi, which fronts South Main Street but is actually in the same building as Ji Tea. I sat down with Cai on Saturday to talk about his new business, which despite having “tea” in the name also has a very strong coffee focus. “Around here we have a lot of bubble tea,” he said. “I wanted to bring the milk tea variation to West Hartford, want it to be true, loose leaf tea.” He visited China and Taiwan to experiment, and is now importing his chosen four varieties: Bai Tao (white peach), Xi Lan (Ceylon), Gui Hua (osmanthus), and Mo Li (jasmine). All are slow-brewed in house and available in a variety of flavor profiles – with or without milk, hot or cold, and with or without sweetener, to enjoy on the premises or to go. They’re also featuring an iced apple lemon tea – which is sweet and lemonade-y – and served in a to-go cup that has a very cute stopper that has its own resting space on the lid. I admitted to Cai that I am not really a tea drinker – honestly I will tell most people that I don’t drink tea at all – but he changed my mind with both the white peach and the jasmine teas, and I enjoyed both in the iced version (without milk). “I’m a big coffee drinker myself,” Cai admitted to me,”so I wanted to serve coffee as well.” It’s distinctive coffee – with beans sourced from Saccuzzo in Newington chosen after some serious taste-testing. The cortado (which was excellent) and cappuccino are available only in hot versions, but you can get an iced Americano or latte, and oat milk is available as a non-dairy option. Espresso is traditionally hot, but can also technically be served over ice, and the menu also includes a “signature iced coconut latte.” There are also small bites on the menu, all curated to complement the tea or coffee. The shortcake cup is a soft milk cake with house-made whipped cream and fruit, and Cai said there are also ube and matcha versions. Another sweet treat is the peach cloud jelly – white peach tea jelly finished with jasmine whipped cream and a sprinkle of osmanthus. And for those who prefer savory, there’s Taiwanese sausage. “When I was in Taiwan all [the cafes] had that. It goes well with coffee and tea,” he said. Cai leased the Sedgwick Road space – that has been vacant for several years but most recently was Dogology and prior to that was a Dunkin’ Donuts – in January, and he said the transformation happened rather quickly. He chose the location not just because it’s right near Wabi Sabi (which will mostly be run by Mozer, but he will maintain some presence) but also, “I wanted a small space, in a neighborhood area.” The interior is furnished in neutrals, with a long bench and several chairs at round tables, and soothing music plays in the background. The bench is equipped with multiple plugs for device charging, and Cai encourages people to linger to work, read, or study. Ngawang Dhargyal and Sonam Lhamo, who are brother and sister, serve as baristas and managers of the cafe, which is open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, or to order online, visit the website.

• On Tuesday, June 9, representatives from Comcast, along with members of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce and town staff and officials, celebrated the opening of a new Xfinity Store in Bishops Corner at 345 North Main Street (former GNC space). The newly designed space offers an interactive environment where visitors can explore the full suite of Xfinity products and services, or connect with a Comcast Business specialist about their technology needs. At the ribbon cutting, Joe Sheehy, director of Indirect Sales Channels, said West Hartford is the only community in the state with two Xfinity stores.  “Our newest Xfinity Store in West Hartford reflects continued commitment to delivering an excellent customer experience,” Carolyne Hannan, Senior Vice President for Comcast’s New England Region, said in a statement. “Visitors can learn more about our simple, transparent pricing, including our five-year price guarantee, and offers like a line of Xfinity Mobile included free for a year.” Comcast will continue to operate its other West Hartford Xfinity Store located at 1253 New Britain Avenue. “The Chamber welcomes the opening of Comcast’s second store in West Hartford, adding to the continued growth and activity in Bishops Corner,” said Chris Conway, President and CEO of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce. “The new location provides residents and businesses with another opportunity to explore available mobile products and services in an interactive retail environment.”

• Hartford Stitch will be moving from 207 Park Road, taking over the Homegrown Studio space at 13 Sedgwick Road. I wrote about Hartford Stitch when Laura Kasowitz opened the sewing school for people of all ages – and I can’t believe that was 10 years ago! She posted the news on social media, and confirmed it to me in a message. “I will be taking over the space in September anbd moving studios at the end of that month,” she said. “We’re excited to not only have more workspace, but opportunities to host more community events.” It’s been nearly five years since Homegrown Studio relocated from the Boulevard Shops to Sedgwick Road, and on social media owner Meredith Magee Donnelly said she’s operated the business – which focuses on art and sensory play experiences for children – for 10 years, and closing it down after that amount of tune “was always my plan.” More to come as the transition takes place.

• Chick–fil–A Bishops Corner, which opened on June 12, 2025, at 2534 Albany Avenue, celebrated the birthday of the “little nugget” on Friday by recognizing the local partnerships, jobs, and hunger relief efforts that helped shape its first year serving the community. The store was corporate-owned when it opened, but on April 1, Melissa Hughes took over as owner-operator and hosted the birthday and family-friendly community celebration recognizing the people and organizations that have supported the restaurant since opening. “It was a really phenomenal transition,” she said, taking over the store after serving as vice president for brand marketing at Foxwoods. “I always wanted to be an entrepreneur,” she said, praising the Chick-fil-A organization for giving her the opportunity to work “for myself, but not by myself.” At the event on Friday, which included a ribbon cutting, the 10 employees who are graduating high school or college were recognized, as was Praying With a Purpose, which has received roughly 2,500 donated meals for people in the Hartford area through the Chick–fil–A Shared Table program, While the Bishops Corner location doesn’t have a drive-through, Hughes said the set-up is perfect for easy pick-up of online orders, and will soon launch curbside delivery. Friday’s celebration included a mascot visit, games, and a raffle to win free Chick-fil-A for a year.

• When I was at Chick-fil-A in Bishops Corner, I had the chance for an up-close look at the reconstruction and expansion of the convenience store at the Phillips 66 station. It’s moving along, but looks like it will be a while before the reopening.

• On Wednesday, June 10, Lyons Auto Service by VIP Tires & Service hosted a customer appreciation event focused on the ongoing “Oil Changes for Education” promotion. Running from June 2 to July 31, the program offers 50% off any oil change with $10 from every oil change being donated to local public schools through their parent/teacher organizations. To support local communities, VIP has offered similar “Oil Changes for Education” promotions at many of its other locations across New England, the company said in an announcement. Based in Auburn, Maine, VIP, which purchased Lyons in February, operates 77 locations in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut. Each store is staffed with Tire Industry Association certified automotive professionals seven days a week, earning automotive customers for life. “We’re proud to continue investing in the communities we serve through programs like Oil Changes for Education,” said Tim Winkeler, president and CEO of VIP Tires & Service, said in an announcement. “Routine vehicle maintenance is an essential service, and this program allows us to connect that everyday need with support for local schools. It’s a simple way for our customers and team members to work together to help students, teachers and school communities while keeping vehicles safe and reliable on the road.”

• I’ve noticed the ongoing construction and last week connected with Matt Rusconi, owner of The Brownstone, and he said they are aiming for late July for the opening of the pizza pub at 7 South Main Street. He announced the plans in March to take over the former Sam’s Gyro space. No word that I know of about when, where, and if Sam’s is reopening.

• I stopped by last week to check out the demolition of the former UConn Undergrad building at 1800 Asylum Avenue. I couldn’t get up to the fence to get a closer look because work was actively underway – but the building is almost down to the ground.

• Continued great progress continues on the new Animal Control facility on Brixton Street. I brought my hard hat hoping to get onsite for a closer look, but wasn’t able to get anyone’s attention for a tour.

• My weekly status update on the construction of the West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan shows much more of the sidewalk area opened for use on the western portion of the construction area. There’s a bit left to complete near the Central Building, and from Kimberly Boutique east to North Main is all under construction now. Phase 5, which is on the south side of Farmington Avenue from The Claypen to Music and Arts, is all under construction now as well, and Zohara’s patio is temporarily gone.

• I also grabbed a photo down the alley next to the now-closed Union Kitchen on LaSalle Road, showing the progress of the Center Park Place condominium development.

• Siena Private Wealth shared that 1,000 children painted piggy banks at their booth over the course of the two-day Celebrate! West Hartford festival. “I just wanted to bring a fun activity to the community,” Marisa Rothstein, Lead Advisor of Siena Private Wealth, said in a news release. “I was so happily surprised to see it inspire kids to talk about saving and money while they painted. A wonderful many talked about using their banks for savings for charity. I heard others tell their parents what they were going to use the bank to save for (winner of the day was one girl’s plan to save for a bouncy castle for the backyard). Beyond just a fun craft, Paint-A-Piggy-Bank really led families to start a conversation about personal finance.” The booth was staffed all weekend by the Siena Private team, including Rothstein’s 11-year-old daughter, Sydney, who helped manage the steady stream of young artists eager to personalize their banks with colors and designs. “I had so much fun, although it was a lot of work keeping up with all the visitors to our booth,” said Sydney. “The fried dough breaks helped a lot!” The piggy bank activity reflects Siena Private Wealth’s broader commitment to financial education and community engagement. Siena has been a consistent presence at community events throughout West Hartford, and plans to make Paint-A-Piggy-Bank a standing Celebrate! tradition.

• Congratulations to Eric Feeney, a third-grade teacher at Wolcott Elementary School in West Hartford and founder of Friends of Feeney, who was named by The Village for Families & Children – along Dr. Steven Rogers, Medical Director of Emergency Mental and Behavioral Health Services and the Youth Suicide Prevention Center at Connecticut Children’s – as its 2026 Champions for Children. According to a news release, each year The Village recognizes outstanding local leaders who are making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families across Connecticut. Feeney and Dr. Rogers were selected for their exceptional dedication to supporting children through crisis and strengthening communities. Feeney was honored for his extraordinary commitment to supporting students and families during times of profound loss. After witnessing two of his students experience the sudden death of their fathers – one due to a heart attack and the other to gun violence – Feeney was inspired to take action. He went on to found Friends of Feeney, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families navigate heartbreak and tragedy. Since its founding, the organization has provided nearly $300,000 in direct financial assistance to more than 130 local families, while building a strong culture of compassion and generosity throughout the West Hartford community.

• ICYMI, Spitz Mediterranean Street Food opened Friday in the former Plan b space at 138 Park Road. Click here for the complete story.
• ICYMI, U.S. News again named West Hartford No. 1 in Connecitcut in its annual “Best Places to Live” survey. Full details can be found here.
• The Blue Back Farmers Market opened for the season on Sunday, and Mary Collins, who was one of the founders and is involved with the marketing this year, said, “We had a huge turnout today, best ever in our five years,” adding that even Mayor Shari Cantor stopped by. Read all about this year’s market here.

• Click here to listen to the latest episode of On The Scene featuring hosts Tom Hickey and Bob Carr who welcome Lacey Escobar from Arthur Murray Dance Studio and Hilary Sarrasin from 2020 Media for a lively look at Dancing with WeHa Stars, the entertainment highlight of the Best of West Hartford event. Listeners will hear how local residents, business owners, chefs, and community members can step out of their comfort zones, learn a routine, and bring their personality to the dance floor. 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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