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

By Ronni Newton

I hope everyone had a Happy Mother’s Day yesterday!

Ronni Newton and Linda Geisler (Celebrate West Hartford coordinator – and my running partner and former neighbor) at the Mayor’s Charity Ball, May 13, 2017.

Thanks to my kids and husband for making my Mother’s Day really special! Breakfast made by my son, dinner made by my husband and daughter (and a cake made by my sister), some really thoughtful gifts – it was wonderful!

The rest of my weekend was a whirlwind that started with attending a Yard Goats game on Friday night – and getting to throw out one of the first pitches as part of the Susan G. Komen “Pink the Park” ceremony. That was my first time in the stadium, and I was very impressed with the entire experience!

Saturday was the Mayor’s Charity Ball (click here for the photo gallery!). Great food, great music, and a wonderful time as Mayor Shari Cantor presided over her first Mayor’s Ball and helped raise funds for the Playhouse on Park and The Town That Cares Fund. And my personal thanks to Ody at Argelia Novias for helping me find a fabulous gold dress (see photo) to wear!

The weather forecast for this week looks fabulous! Bring on the sunshine and warmth.

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:

Milkcraft will open at 967 Farmington Ave. in West Hartford Center in May. Photo courtesy of David Mainiero

• Just in time for the sunshine, warmth, and summertime, Milkcraft is getting set to open! Owner David Mainiero said that permits are in place, and the hiring of staff has started (click here to apply). The interior renovations at 967 Farmington Ave. (formerly La Petite France) are nearly complete, and that means bubblecones and creamee buns packed with homemade “cow-to-cone” ice cream – made in small batches with local ingredients and nitro-cooled –  will served before the end of May! More information, including a menu, can be found on Milkcraft’s website. Mainiero provided some photos of the interior which can be found below.
• In between updates about food, let’s have one about fitness. Pilates Defined, located at 1143 New Britain Ave., will be celebrating International Pilates Day on Saturday May 20, 2017, with an open house and a “taste of pilates” from 8-11:30 a.m. They will offer free classes from 8 to 10 a.m., then they will have stations open from 10-11:30 a.m. where people new to the studio will be able to learn about Pilates and try the equipment. Plus there will be doterra essential oils, raffles, and heathy treats, too! For more details or a class schedule, click here. 
• Wednesday, May 17 (5:30-7:30 p.m.) is Taste of Bishops Corner, and we are so excited about it! Not only is the weather going to be perfect (mid 80s during the day, probably in the 70s by the time the festivities begin) for the event outdoors on the Edens Bishops Corner Shopping Center patio between Maximum Beverage and Blue Plate Kitchen, but there’s a great variety of restaurants – including crowd favorite Moe’s, Blue Plate Kitchen, KOMA Japanese Steakhouse, Abby Dabby, Crown Market Café, Harry’s Bishops Corner, Panera Bread, and Pond House featuring ZEST280. Maximum Beverage will be providing the libations, and Massage Envy will be giving chair massages. There will also be live music (love this poster the band created!), and much more. Click here to purchase tickets.
• The Shell gas station in Bishops Corner (northeast corner, near Big Y) has finally reopened after an extensive renovation. The pumps and building are all brand new.
  

  Demolition work has started as the former Sears and Sears Automobile Center will be redeveloped as The Corbin Collection. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Work has started on the redevelopment of the old Sears and Sears Automobile Center buildings in Corbin’s Corner. Interior demolition as well as demolition of a small addition is underway, and parts of the parking lot are fenced off. Announced tenants include Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, REI, Shake Shack, buybuy Baby, and Cost Plus World Market. We’ll bring you updates about these openings and news about future tenants for the Corbin Collection as soon as that information is available!
• The WHsquared mobile app is now live! Jeff Lovanio, has created the “What’s Happenin’ West Hartford” aka WHsquared mobile app to connect smartphone users to great experiences in the Town of West Hartford. You can find out which restaurants have happy hours and when, activities for kids on a certain day, information about theater, musical performances, business and networking events, and much more. Under “places” in the media category, you’ll even find a direct link to We-Ha.com! For iPhone users, click here to download. Android users, click here. Follow WHsquared on Facebook for more updates.
• Dogology West Hartford (5 Sedgewick Rd.) will hold its official grand opening on Saturday, May 20, from noon-4 p.m. According to the Facebook event, goodie bags filled with samples and surprises will be given to the first 50 guests (one bag per family), and there will also be fresh-baked desserts and champagne for the grown-ups. Dogology’s award-winning training team will be on hand to answer questions and offer training tips for your dog, and staff will offer helpful advice for your pets’ nutrition and wellness needs. Throughout the day, all customers will receive 15 percent off their retail store purchases in the West Hartford location. There will also be a tea-cup style raffle for some amazing prizes – with the money raised going to support Dogology’s Pet Food Pantry for people that need help feeding their pets.
• Finally, ICYMI, there was quite a bit of business news last week, but the most popular story was about the opening of Zohara Mediterranean Kitchen on Wednesday. It was open for dinner only last week, but lunch service begins at 11 a.m. Monday. Click here to read the complete story. You can also click on the “Business” tab at the top of the page to make sure you haven’t missed any business stories!

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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Milkcraft will open at 967 Farmington Ave. in West Hartford Center in May. Photo courtesy of David Mainiero

Milkcraft will open at 967 Farmington Ave. in West Hartford Center in May. Photo courtesy of David Mainiero

Milkcraft will open at 967 Farmington Ave. in West Hartford Center in May. Photo courtesy of David Mainiero

Milkcraft will open at 967 Farmington Ave. in West Hartford Center in May. Photo courtesy of David Mainiero

Milkcraft will open at 967 Farmington Ave. in West Hartford Center in May. Photo courtesy of David Mainiero