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

Happy May! I’m always happy turn the calendar to May – one of my favorite weather months – and I’m hoping for some sunny springtime days ahead.

I’m not sure what I was thinking in last week’s column when I said that once the town budget process was over things would slow down. There are so many events – fundraisers, ribbon cuttings, and end-of-school-years celebrations – over the next few weeks that it’s impossible to keep them straight, let alone attend and report on everything that’s worthy. As always, submitted articles (with at least one photo) are always welcome!

May 1 was my son’s birthday (Happy 28th to Sam!) and I took time out of my usual Sunday spent writing this column to head up to Boston to celebrate with him and attend the Red Sox vs. Astros baseball game. Unfortunately the Sox lost 3-1 loss in extra innings, but was still a fun time.

Sunday was actually my second professional baseball game of the week – and second meal of stadium food! On Wednesday night we saw a great Yard Goats game – a 6-2 win!

While I never sat down and ate in a restaurant, I didn’t have many meals at home last week due to a plethora of events – including “Taste of Greater West Hartford” on Monday night which featured food from quite a few restaurants, and the ribbon cutting at Mozz & Co at lunchtime Tuesday which included samples of some of their amazing sandwiches. We attended an extremely thought-provoking Connecticut Forum on Friday night (Lessons in History with Jon Meacham and Jill Lepore), and as media sponsors we also attended the advance reception at the Mark Twain House which included a catered dinner and tour of the house. And on Saturday we attended the annual Ron’s Run for the Roses fundraiser for the Ron Foley Foundation at the Farmington Polo Club. Photos below include the food and drink, and a few additional scenes from these events – as well as a few of the beautiful flowering trees spotted around town this past week!

We had one troll this week – by name of John Doe. Thank you to all who do 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:

• We broke the news back in early December in Business Buzz that Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings will be opening at 111 Memorial Road (former Rizzuto’s and Gran Gusto space) in Blue Back Square, and I’ve gotten many questions about from readers since then because there wasn’t any visible sign of build-out. I was driving by early last week – and saw the Nana’s wrap is now covering all the windows! Along with various images, the wrap on the windows includes “About Us” details: “At Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings, we bring the warmth and flavor of handmade dim sum to every community we serve. What began as a single neighborhood restaurant has grown into a growing restaurant group with locations across New York and Colorado – each dedicated to sharing authentic recipes, welcoming hospitality, and the comforting taste of home …” Another window shares the “Handmade with Heart” concept: “At Nana’s Dim Sum & Dumplings, every dish is made by hand – from the delicate pleats of our dumplings to the rich broth in our noodles. We believe real flavor comes from craftsmanship and tradition, not machines. Each bite reflects our care, skill, and love for authentic dim sum culture …” Nana’s currently has seven locations in Colorado and one in Scarsdale, NY – and West Hartford will be the first in Connecticut. The website also indicates plans to open a few more Colorado locations, as well as one in New Jersey, New York State, and Oklahoma. I have reached out to the owner for information about the opening timeline for West Hartford but have not heard back yet, but will definitely provide an update as soon as possible.

• Work on the former UConn campus property is really ramping up on the east side of Trout Brook Drive, where Garden Homes is constructing the Residences at Heritage Park – four multi-story buildings that will include 322 units. I took some photos of the construction a month ago but hadn’t really been past there for a few weeks – and the progress since then is remarkable.

• On the roughly 33.5-acre west side of the property, where several derelict former campus buildings remain standing in various states of deterioration, there will also soon be visible signs of change as the first phase of work on Heritage Park gets underway. In December 2025, officials celebrated the awarding of a Brownfield grant by the state to assist in the remediation of the portion of the former UConn campus that was purchased by West Hartford 1 LLC in late 2022. West Hartford applied in September and received a grant of $6 million through the program – the largest grant given thus far through the state’s Department of Economic and Community Development’s (DECD) Brownfield Remediation and Development Program. The previously state-owned property is contaminated by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and asbestos, commonly used in construction during the time period when most of the campus was built. Studies of the property have indicated that PCBs have also leached into the soil, and while the developer is still waiting for some needed approvals by DEEP and the EPA of their plans to dispose of the contaminated soil, Town Manager Rick Ledwith said the town has issued permits for the above-ground demolition of two of the four remaining buildings and the other demolition permits should be issued this week – with the work beginning soon! Below are a few photos of what the former Undergrad Building looked like on Saturday morning – and I’ll be sure to chronicle the demolition as soon as it gets underway. Whether you approve of the plans for development of property or not, it will be a vast improvement to have the decaying buildings taken down. Included in the plan for Heritage Park are 93 one- and two-bedroom residential rental apartments, including 24 that will be deed-restricted as affordable housing for those earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI). The plans for Heritage Park also include a total of 28 townhomes available for purchase, six of which are duplex townhomes along both Lawler Road and Asylum Avenue, 87 units of assisted living, a 26,488-square-foot organic grocery store, and commercial space for restaurants, retail, and a spa. I’ve been covering this story since UConn first announced plans to relocate the greater Hartford campus in 2012 (yes, that predates the launch of We-Ha.com, but I wrote numerous stories about it in my previous job at Patch), and am probably past 100 articles by now!

• While it will be quite a while before any of the Heritage Park buildings are completed, John Cafasso of Colliers International already has a listing on Loopnet for the signature restaurant that is planned for the two-story plus roof-top dining/bar, 11,000-square-foot free-standing building that’s adjacent to the pond. The property is being marketed as “build-to-suit” (the exterior appearance is must adhere to the design indicated in the application for the Special Development District application approved by the Town Council, or have any changes reviewed and voted on), and the lease brochure states the following: “This site is purpose-designed for: • Steakhouses (STK, Perry’s, Del Frisco’s, etc.) • Modern American / upscale dining rooms • High-end seafood concepts (Ocean Prime, Eddie V’s) • Experiential or nightlife-driven dining with rooftop activations • Chef-driven flagship locations requiring unmatched visibility The combination of new construction, direct frontage, and rooftop programming positions the tenant to create one of the most significant dining destinations in the region.”

• Congratulations to Joey Cusano on the official grand opening and ribbon cutting at Mozz & Co celebrated with town officials and the Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, April 28. From the time the doors opened on April 8, there has been an overwhelming response to West Hartford’s new Italian deli, located at 22 Raymond Road. I’ve been working my way through the menu (my sample of La Regina is pictured in the introduction above), and everything has been absolutely delicious so far.

• Congratulations to Gem Jewelry – now part of the Michaels Jewelers family – on their grand opening and ribbon cutting held on Friday, May 1 at 1129 New Britain Avenue. Camile Hannoush and several of his children celebrated the ribbon cutting along with town officials and the Chamber of Commerce. The store’s offerings have been expanded since the change in ownership took place in late 2025, including a beautiful selection of estate jewelry.

• West Hartford-based Futures Inc. is now operating the ribbon cutting of The Kitchen at Futures Inc. Café at the Hartford Public Library (500 Main Street, Hartford), and recently celebrated a ribbon cutting and grand opening. While the space is located in Hartford, the organization has strong ties to West Hartford – which is where the main administrative offices, Futures School, and Good Cause Gifts retail location are located, “and the community continues to play a vital role in supporting our mission and the individuals we serve,” said Tracey O’Brien, Senior VP of Futures Inc. “This new café represents an exciting expansion of our work – creating inclusive employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities while strengthening our presence and partnerships in the greater Hartford region.” The café serves breakfast and lunch in the bright and open space along Main Street.

• At the Elmwood Business Association meeting on Friday I met Yalda Amiri, who announced the recent launch of West Hartford-based commercial cleaning company Pristine Workspace Co. For information about their services, visit the website or contact Yalda Amiri at [email protected].

• Salt and Pepper Catering and the Salt and Pepper Food Truck have been active in the West Hartford community for quite a while. Their home base is the commercial kitchen at New Park Brewing – where they are the exclusive catering partner for the Barrel Room and the Green Room, but recently have expanded their business. Sean Farrell, operator and strategist (and co-founder along with fellow chef Power Minor) said they have officially launched a new website, snpct.com, to serve as a hub for their latest catering offerings. “Our culinary focus remains on honest, market-driven, and seasonally focused cooking, and we’ve recently expanded our services to include more comprehensive catering for local events,” he said. According to the website, “Salt & Pepper began with a simple mission: to prove that world-class, chef-driven cuisine doesn’t have to be confined to a brick-and-mortar kitchen. What started as a high-energy food truck quickly evolved into a full-scale catering operation, bringing the same ‘fire’ and precision to executive boardrooms, private estates, and luxury events across Connecticut. We believe that seasoning is a science and service is an art. Whether we are dropping off an Executive Platter for a local salon or managing a 4-hour ‘Chef Attended’ buffet, our commitment to fresh ingredients and bold flavors remains the same.”

• Look for reports on a few grand openings this week, including Frisbee’s Dairy Barn (38 Isham Road in Blue Back Square) which will have its celebration on Saturday, May 9, from 1 to 10 p.m. “and will feature Frisbie’s signature small-batch flavors made with high-quality ingredients,” a company announcement said. Vivid Hue Home will also be opening this week at 945 Farmington Avenue.

• Congratulations to the Delamar West Hartford – which has been recognized as one of the Top 500 Hotels in the World in the 2026 Travel + Leisure T+L 500 – one of the most coveted distinctions in the global travel industry. Delamar West Hartford is the only hotel in Connecticut to be included on this year’s list, placing the property among an elite group of hotels worldwide celebrated for delivering exceptional guest experiences at the highest level. “Being named to the T+L 500 is an incredible honor and a testament to the passion and dedication of our entire team,” Charles Mallory, CEO & Founder of Delamar Hotel Collection, said in a statement. “To be recognized by Travel + Leisure readers – some of the most discerning travelers in the world – reinforces our commitment to delivering a level of service and experience that is both personal and exceptional. We are proud to represent Connecticut on a global stage.” The full T+L 500 list is featured in the May issue of Travel + Leisure.

• The SWEAT Outdoor Fitness Series returns for the season with a special kickoff event on Saturday, May 9, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at The Shops at Farmington Valley – just in time for Mother’s Day weekend – and as a fundraiser for the West Hartford-based Aurora Foundation for Women & Girls. The morning of movement, wellness, and community begins with check-in at 9:30 a.m., followed by a warm-up led by Bodyfit Physical Therapy and an all-levels outdoor Pilates class with Marianne of Big Sky Fitness. After class, attendees can explore a “Wellness Village” featuring experiences and special offers from partners including FP Movement, Sephora, Massage Envy, VIO Med Spa, Mercato Italian Kitchen + Bar, Sweetgreen and more.  Bodyfit Physical Therapy will also be providing outdoor golf mobility classes, and Zumba classes for kids. All attendees will be entered to win raffle prizes, including a chance to win $75.00 gift card to Sweetgreen or FP Movement and more. The $10 registration fee benefits Aurora Foundation for Women and Girls, with 100% of proceeds supporting programs that advance economic security, education, and leadership for women and girls in Greater Hartford.

• Congratulations to resident Bernard Kavaler, founder and managing principal of West Hartford-based public relations business Express Strategies, on his appointment to the board of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) Foundation for Economic Growth & Opportunity as well as to the Patient and Family Advocacy COmmittee (PFAC) of the Connecticut Health Information Exchange (Connie).

• Congratulations to West Hartford resident Tom Reynolds, who was honored at the Annual Connecticut Knights of Columbus convention held this past Saturday at the Double Tree Hotel in Bristol. He was named Knight of the Year in recognition of his leadership and many contributions to the community including running the semi-annual Blood Drive at St. Timothy Middle School and delivering more than 5,100 pounds of food to the West Hartford Food Bank in the last year from the  weekly donations of the St. Timothy Church parishioners.

• USJ Professor Aidan Levy and nonprofit executive Mike McGarry produced the first of several high-profile musical events at the West Hartford campus last week.

• Even more great progress was made last week on the construction of the new Animal Control facility on Brixton Street, and below that are photos I took on Saturday of the progress of West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan construction in the Center.

• This week’s sad news: Kitchen Plate (1240 Farmington Avenue) is closed for good. Robert Udolf, who recently bought the building, confirmed the news. I had seen a small handwritten sign on the door indicating they were “closed today” – and reached out after “today” ended up being several weeks and after questions from several readers. Udolf said he has some exciting plans in the works for the space, and I look forward to sharing the updates.

• The property at 2558 Albany Avenue in Bishops Corner has been torn down. The Town Council approved the demolition as an amendment to the Special Development District, in late 2025.

• Last week all signage was removed from the former The Place 2 Be space at 50 Memorial Road. I peeked in the window as well, and it’s emptied out of all furnishings.

• 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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