West Hartford Business Buzz: May 7, 2018 - We-Ha

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

By Ronni Newton

It was rather hot for a few days this week, but I am NOT complaining one bit about that burst of summer weather! We don’t even have any of our air conditioners in yet, but I relished the warmth, and not having to wear a coat, and being able to wear sandals without freezing!

We picked up Sam from UConn on Saturday morning, and he’s settling in to being home for the summer. While most of the contents of his dorm room are still in the front foyer where we unloaded them, he did get his Xbox set up in the basement right away, where it was in use until about 2:30 a.m. Sunday. I should add that he did have to make a relatively quick change and head off to his internship with the New Britain Bees, and then went to a friend’s house, so he wasn’t playing video games all night. And also, I am VERY happy to have him home!

Ron’s Run for the Roses was a great success for the Ron Foley Foundation. From left: Cathy Dowd, Kevin Down, Tom Hickey, Shevon Hickey, Ted Newton, and Ronni Newton

Saturday was a day for celebrations (congrats to my many friends whose children graduated from college) – and many also enjoyed combined Cinco de Mayo and/or Kentucky Derby parties. Ted and I attended Ron’s Run for the Roses, and congrats to all from the West Hartford-based Ron Foley Foundation for an amazingly fun and successful event. More than $2.1 million (!!!) has now been raised to date by the Ron Foley Foundation in support of awareness and a cure for pancreatic cancer.

There were lots of new business openings last week, and several more coming this week, including a few that are linked below!

I’m looking forward to a great week coming up, with lots of news, and lots of nice springtime weather to get out and enjoy this town!

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:

A collection of teas at The Green Teahouse, which has a second location at Westfarms. Courtesy of the Green Teahouse

The Green Teahouse has expanded, and owner Ting Luo is excited about opening a second location at Westfarms, in the former Teavana space on the second floor of the mall near JCPenney. The new location opened on May 2. “I was approached by the mall and they said we were the best fit [for] the space, based on our reputation and popularity,” Luo said. “I’m excited to see how many mall employees liked our products, specifically our handcrafted special tea drinks.” The Green Teahouse is a family-owned business, established in 2009, and just relocated its original Blue Back Square location to 55 Isham Rd. in November. Luo said the Westfarms location can be reached directly at 860-821-0885, and more information about The Green Teahouse and their fine teas and tea-related accessories can be found on their website.
Shredded pork noodle bowl from Nummy. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Nummy officially opens Tuesday at 11 a.m. at 1160 New Britain Ave. in Elmwood. Other than sharing this yummy-looking photo, I’m not going to say much more about them because I am working on a feature story that will be published later today!
There has been a lot of discussion about Suburban Pharmacy in Bishops Corner, and in last week’s column I reported that the family-owned business had been bought by CVS and was closing last Friday and reopening under the CVS name on May 7, but then there was more discussion on Facebook about a change in plans, and confusion about Suburban Long-Term Care. Here are the details: CVS has purchased Suburban Pharmacy, but there has been a delay in the transition. According to a current employee, and corroborated by a reader who spoke to the owner, the current plan is for the store/pharmacy at 344 North Main St. to close on May 17, and reopen as CVS on Monday, May 21. Some – but not all – employees are being kept on staff after the transition. Suburban Pharmacy Long-Term Care, located on the basement level of the same building (the address is actually 342 North Main St., Suite 70), will NOT be changing its operations. It will NOT be closing, nor will it be purchased by CVS. “They are separate entities, have separate pharmacy licenses, their own payroll and employees,” said Pharmacy Liaison Zee Khan on Sunday. Suburban Long-Term Care, which is a “closed door pharmacy,” will continue to be open and serve its customers which are primarily residential care and longterm care facilities.
Courtesy of Ron Reisner
McKenna Orthodontics is going to be moving, and thank you to Ron Reisner for sending me this photo of the new sign! J&P McKenna sold the building at 8 Arapahoe Rd. in February 2017 (to Lexham Arapahoe Road LLC, which has not announced any plans for it yet) and purchased the 95 South Main St. building in June 2017. The other name on the sign is Bloom Natural Health – and Naturopathic physicians Dr. Sharon Hunter and Dr. Christine Louden recently signed a lease and moved their practice to the 95 South Main St. building. Look for a feature story about them coming soon!
WFSB anchor Dennis House (right, with Bearded Dragon on his shoulder) presents a check for $1,000 to the Children’s Museum live in front of West Hartford Town Hall on May 4. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

West Hartford was the chosen town for WFSB’s “20 Towns in 20 Days” tour on Thursday, and anchor Dennis House filmed a segment in advance that focused on A.C. Petersen Farms, The Children’s Museum, and some of the other things/places that make West Hartford so special. I had a chance to chat with him live on Thursday in front of Town Hall. As part of the tour, WFSB is donating to local charities, and during the broadcast Dennis (who was sporting a Bearded Dragon his shoulder) also presented a check for $1,000 to to some very grateful Children’s Museum employees! Thankfully, the gargantuan Madagascar cockroach which Wildlife Sanctuary Curator Nick Barnett is holding in his hand in this photo stayed right where it was (and I didn’t have to get any closer to take the photo). Click here to watch the segment that aired Thursday!
SPoT Coffee President and CEO Anton Ayoub cuts the ribbon Monday at the new cafe at 65 Memorial Rd. in Blue Back Square. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
I had a great time meeting SPoT Coffee President and CEO Anton Ayoub and Board Chairman John Lorenzo last Monday when they attended the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce’s ribbon cutting at the new cafe at 65 Memorial Rd. The grand opening generously featured an array of fresh sandwiches, salads, pizzas, baked goods, and coffee – available free to all customers from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

If you attended the Junior League of Hartford’s opening night party at the 2018 Show House, and had anything to drink, you tested out the service of one of the area’s newest mobile bars – The Liquorist MD. Rebecca Farrah (who grew up in West Hartford and is the daughter of my former soccer teammate Lisa Farrah) and her boyfriend Daniel Hoagland converted an old horse trailer into the mobile drinkery (that’s what the “MD” in their name stands for!) pictured below, and are now taking their beverages on the road to weddings, backyard barbecues, and other events that are in need of cocktails, beer, and wine. For more information, call 860-906-8831 or email [email protected].
The Liquorist MD. Courtesy photo
Congratulations to West Hartford resident Peter C. Bowman, Esq. who has been named for the second year in a row to the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys (AIOPIA) “10 Best in Connecticut For Client Satisfaction.” According to a news release, “One of the most significant aspects of the selection process involves attorneys’ relationships and reputation among his or her clients. As clients should be an attorney’s top priority, AIOPIA places the utmost emphasis on selecting lawyers who have achieved significant success in the field of Personal Injury law without sacrificing the service and support they provide. Selection criteria therefore focus on attorneys who demonstrate the highest standards of Client Satisfaction. We congratulate Peter C. Bowman, Esq. on this achievement and we are honored to have him as a Two Years AIOPIA Member. You can contact Peter C. Bowman, Esq. directly at: 860-219-0779 orwww.pavdom.com.”

Ellyn Marshall announced in a news release last week that Paula Fahy Ostop has been added to the team as a name partner, and the team name is now Marshall + Ostop Associates, and will continue to operate out of the West Hartford William Raveis Office at 125 LaSalle Rd. in West Hartford Center. The team has been top-ranked in West Hartford for more than 30 years, Marshall said. “Partnering with Paula will ensure our continued growth and success” said Marshall in the news release. “Paula’s extensive marketing background and enthusiasm make our entire team better. The firm’s name change recognizes Paula’s significant contributions to the agency and the outstanding results she has achieved for our clients.” Ostop, who joined William Raveis in 2011 and is ranked in the top 1 percent of agents in the United States based on customer reviews, has been the team’s top-producing member. Prior to joining Raveis, she was Vice President of an award-winning, Connecticut-based advertising agency, with cross-generational marketing experience that brings the team an edge that is beneficial to all clients – particularly surrounding effective outreach to social media driven Millennials. “I’m thrilled an honored to have the opportunity to co-lead a team and have my name alongside one of Connecticut’s most respected agents” said Ostop. “I have an incredible passion for this business, and am excited to continue to represent our buyers and sellers.” Chris Raveis, president of Residential Sales for William Raveis, said, “As a Company that is focused on the success and growth of our Agents, we are proud that Paula and Ellyn have embraced the opportunity to develop a partnership. This combination of talent will be very powerful and I am excited to work with Paula and Ellyn in the years to come.”
ICYMI, Workstation for Hair officially opens this week. Click here to read the feature story on West Hartford’s brand new co-working space for hair stylists.
Vineyard Vines We-Ha gear is almost sold out, but savvy shoppers need to keep a close watch on the West Hartford Twitter (@WestHartfordMag) and Facebook (@westhartfordmagazine) accounts to catch the pop up store coming this week, just in time for Mother’s Day. It’s the biggest sale of Vineyard Vines We-Ha merchandise ever, and items will only be available while supplies last. Shoppers can still go to the online store to purchase for pick up at Lux Bond & Green (46 LaSalle Rd., West Hartford. Polo Shirt $49.99 (reg. $85); Quarter Zip (Shep Shirt) $74.99 (reg. $138); Neck Tie $48 (reg. $96); Classic Tote $74.99 (reg $160); Canvas D-Ring Belt $34.99 (reg. $54)! A small number of HALO chargers (one of the owners is a West Hartford resident and was featured in a story last year) are still available as well. I refer to my HALO chargers (I have multiple) as “life support” for my phone, iPad, camera, etc.

ICYMI, plans are being finalized for the 3rd Annual Taste of Bishops Corner, hosted by WHMedia, where guests are invited to sample their way through the evening with a wonderful variety of hot and cold food from Bishops Corner area restaurants. The event has new location and nonprofit beneficiary, thanks to the generosity of The Underground (formerly The Grounds) and EDENS. The Taste of Bishops Corner will be held at 740 N. Main St., Crossroads Plaza, Lower Level Lobby Entrance (it’s “under” Harry’s Pizza, across from the Post Office). Click here for many more details about the event, including restaurants and sponsors, and here for sponsorship opportunities.
Also ICYMI, FLOW (the Future Leaders of West Hartford) is having its inaugural FLOW-Nation Celebration on May 18. Click here for all of the details.