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

By Ronni Newton

Spring has certainly sprung in West Hartford! Even though today is cold and rainy, it’s relatively tolerable because the weather has been so beautiful – perfect for St. Patrick’s Day parades, walks around the neighborhood, and outdoor dining.

Grant’s – like virtually every other restaurant in West Hartford with a patio – is ready for the outdoor dining season. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Yes, as I predicted in last week’s column, virtually every restaurant in West Hartford that has outdoor dining has the tables and chairs in place, and they have been put to good use during the past week.

My daughter, who turns 21 today (yikes!) is jetting off this morning to spend her spring break in the Dominican Republic (double yikes!), but although I am somewhat jealous, I’m not as green with envy as I would be if we were still buried under a foot of snow.

Daffodil photos are likely for next week.

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:

Omaha Steaks is now open at 13 South Main St. in West Hartford Center. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Omaha Steaks had its soft opening on Thursday, March 10, and has already been seeing some great foot traffic, Manager Jaime Nunes reported. Although many people may be accustomed to purchasing Omaha Steaks products online, Nunes said that buying straight from the store saves shipping and handling, plus you get to see the products and ask advice of the “friendly employees.” There are also some special deals to be found in the store – with some items being sold at half off regular price, and a “buy one get two free” offer during the soft opening. While the store doesn’t stock absolutely everything that’s sold online, Nunes said they have about 80 percent of the merchandise. In addition to the obvious – steaks – Omaha Steaks sells other types of beef as well as chicken, fish, and pork. They also have appetizers, desserts, sauces, seasonings, cookbooks, grill lights, and platters. There’s a shiny stainless steel grill in the window, which has interested many of the men walking by, employee Nicole Kosakowski said, but that’s not for sale. The grand opening should take place by the first week of April. Omaha Steaks is located at 13 South Main St. See below for some additional photos of the interior.
  

  There is already a “for lease” sign in the window of Sylvan Learning. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Sylvan Learning, at 2533 Albany Ave. in Bishops Corner abruptly closed last week, leaving a message on the answering machine stating that the reason was due to lease termination and “an unexpected breakdown in lease negotiations with the landlord.” According to message, Sylvan plans to provide information about their accounts via mail in the next week or two. A visit to Sylvan over the weekend found black curtains drawn over the windows, and a for lease sign already in the window. The landlord could not be reached for comment.
• Vinted (63 Memorial Rd. in Blue Back Square) has added a Sunday brunch as of March 13. Brunch is served from 10:30 a.m. through 2:30 p.m., and menu items include a breakfast burrito, Nutella waffles, buckwheat pancakes, and buttermilk crusted chicken. There are, of course, cocktails on the menu, including the Vinted Bloody Mary.
• House of Flora will be heading west on New Britain Avenue to become an official West Hartford business! As of May 1, the florist will relocate from 896 New Britain Ave. in Hartford to 1022 New Britain Ave. – right around the corner from the Elmwood CTfastrak Station.
• Congratulations to Deputy Mayor Shari Cantor, named last week as one of the 2016 Malta House of Care Wonder Women. According to the Hartford Courant’s Java column, Cantor earned the honor in part due to her extraordinary volunteer activities for organizations that include Foodshare, the West Hartford Rotary Club, the American School for the Deaf, the Jewish Federation and the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. The Wonder Women will be celebrated at a fundraising event at the Bushnell on Tuesday, May 3, 2016, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Click here for more details.
• Congratulations also go to Brendan B. Grady who has been named regional vice president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s Connecticut East region.
• West Hartford resident Donald C. Hunt has recently been named a member of the board of directors of Journey Home, the organization announced in a news release. Hunt is currently Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at The Hartford and previously was a senior attorney for the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. The mission of Journey Home is to “accelerate progress towards ending chronic homelessness in the Greater Hartford region. Partnering with the region’s social service providers, Journey Home focuses on solving the problem of chronic homelessness with housing, employment, and support services, rather than managing it with emergency shelter.”
• Finally, if you like reading this column, you may want to attend an event that brings Business Buzz to life. Director of Community Services Mark McGovern will present the annual Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Update on Thursday, March 24, at Wampanoag Country Club. Click here for more details.

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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Omaha Steaks employee Nicole Kosakowski shows off a coconut cream cake. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

In addition to main dishes, Omaha Steaks sells sauces, spices, and accessories. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Omaha Steaks sells beef as well as chicken, pork, and fish. Photo credit: Ronni Newton