West Hartford Business Buzz: May 4, 2015

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

By Ronni Newton

It’s easy to be happy on a Monday where there will be late-spring-like temperatures all week!

It’s been great seeing everyone outside again, and patio seating at West Hartford restaurants is suddenly in demand. Before long some people will probably be complaining about the heat, but when you do, just think about what February was like.

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:

Fifty years is a long time! The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce will honor its 50-year members and other businesses that have had an “exceptional influence on the West Hartford community” at the 28th Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner. AAA, Abbott Ball, Bank of America, Bouvier Insurance, Connecticut Home Interiors, CNG, Lux Bond & Green, Pfau’s Hardware, Sinatro Brothers, The Hartford Courant, and Toy Chest are all 50-year members. The Chamber will also honor a Volunteer of the Year and present the 2015 Noah Webster Award. The dinner will be held on June 15, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Pond House. Click here for more information.
Pfau’s Hardware is on the 50-year member list above, but will have a new owner as of this week. Debbie Hunter, who became the sole owner of the landmark West Hartford business when her husband Russell died of cancer last fall, has decided to sell the business to the owners of Canton’s Larsen Hardware. The deal came about suddenly and will be completed quickly – with Pfau’s remaining closed on Monday but reopening Tuesday, May 5, under new ownership. Click here for the full story.

Second Time Around had its grand opening last week in the new location – just two doors east at 977 Farmington Ave. “It’s much more functional and brighter, and we’re better able to showcase high-end merchandise,” Store Manager Miranda Basley said. “This is not your grandmother’s thrift shop,” said Basley, who said that they get a lot of brand new items with tags still on as consignments. Basley said that STA specializes in high-quality, gently-used, current merchandise, “JCrew price point and up, and including designer handbags from Dolce & Gabanna and Louis Vuitton.” Merchandise is sold for one-third of its original retail cost.
Another great sign of spring: The West Hartford Farmers’ Market opened on Saturday! The market has made its home in West Hartford Center every season since 1992 and is located in the parking lot at the corner of LaSalle and Arapahoe. It’s only open on Saturdays (9 a.m.-1 p.m.) in May, but will also be open Tuesdays (9 a.m.-1 p.m.) and Thursdays (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) beginning in June.
Don’t forget mom! Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10, and many West Hartford restaurants will likely be offering special brunch and dinner menus. Alex Litor of La Petite France let We-Ha.com know that her restuarant is offering a BYOW dinner on Friday May 8 as well as a brunch on Mother’s Day. The menu for the dinner is blanquette de poulet (chicken with a creamy white sauce served with rice, a beef bourguigon and a leek tart (vegetarian option). Prix fix $35 3-course dinner,” Litor said.

We-Ha.com is spotlighting the business associations and their leaders that are so much a fabric of this town. The most recent installment focused on Rick Liftig and the Elmwood Business Association. Details are here.
ICYMI: West Hartford businesses have been and will continue to raise funds for relief in Nepal. Click here for the details.