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

By Ronni Newton

This has been one of those weeks that has seemed incredibly long. 

Yes, I said the same exact thing last week, but I can’t think of any other way to begin this column.

When I sit down to write the introduction to this column I always take a look back at what has happened in the past week, and this one has been jam-packed with all types of news.

There was the election. A teen riding a bicycle collided with a car and is recovering from his very serious head injury. Morley held its 23rd annual Red Wagon Food Drive. Seven Conard seniors signed National Letters of Intent. I attended the opening of Westfarms holiday experience on Thursday (even chatted with Santa and Mrs. Claus), and as I was preparing to leave Westfarms I happened upon one of the most heartwarming stories I’ve ever covered.

On Friday I covered the Veterans Day ceremony at Charter Oak, spent the afternoon in Fairfield County (was lost in a cemetery for nearly an hour, but that’s a story for another day), and on Saturday covered the town’s Veterans Day ceremony. Friday and Saturday were freezing cold, and I was very happy that both ceremonies were moved indoors because I haven’t yet restocked my supply of hand warmers.

Happy 15th Birthday to Scarlett! Photo credit: Ronni Newton

I attended the War-Chief Tailgate fundraiser on Saturday night (helped John Lyons as his live auction assistant, and spent way too much money on the silent auction), and on Sunday volunteered at the West Hartford House Tour.

And … it was my dog’s 15th birthday on Friday!

That’s not a complete list of my activities, and it was such a busy week that even though I photographed three playoff soccer games last week (sadly all were losses), I still haven’t had a chance to finish editing the images and publish the photo galleries. Look for those later today!

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:

• The Green Teahouse will return to Blue Back Square this week! The Green Teahouse closed its 40-42 Isham Rd. location on July 31 and will have a soft opening in its new location at 55 Isham Rd. on Friday Nov. 17 – with a grand reopening scheduled for all day on Saturday, Nov. 18. On Saturday there will be free tea tasting as well as other activities like QiGong & Chinese calligraphy from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. by Lorelie Chang (founder and artistic director of DancEnlight), and face painting and handcrafted jewelry by Tainted, Inc. from 2:30-6 p.m. The celebration is family friendly, and for more information visit the Green Teahouse’s Facebook page or website. 
  

  Jos. A. Bank was closed for two weeks for renovation, but will reopen this week. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Also reopening this week is Jos. A. Bank at 30 LaSalle Rd. In West Hartford Center. I received several messages two weeks ago from readers who observed the entire content of the store being emptied out and loaded into trucks. But it was only a very temporary store closing for some renovations, and as of Sunday evening the displays were put completely back together in preparation for reopening on Monday.
• One more reopening! After recovering from some major surgery she had during the summer, Kim Green has returned to work and has reopened her Mindfulness and Matters meditation studio as well as her boutique, which has been renamed “Zen and Now.” The boutique (and studio) is located at 485 New Park Ave., and offers great gifts (for others or yourself) such as doTerra Essential Oils, Budha Bowls by David Wilson, handmade shea butter soaps, vintage jewelry, Chakra bracelets, Mandala blankets, books, and much more. Zen and Now is open Thursday through Sunday. For more information follow on Facebook or call 860-841-5939.
• Lux Bond & Green had a ladies night a few weeks ago, and now it’s time for a “Bourbon & BBQ” men’s night out. Come visit with me and Tom Hickey on Thursday, Nov. 16, from 4:30-7:30 p.m., as we feature We-Ha Vineyard Vines merchandise and unique power products by HALO. Lux Bond will be featuring watches from Raymond Weil, Montblanc, Tag Heuer, Breigling, Shinola, and Casio.
• Kaoud Rugs is holding a contest and giving away a best-selling rug style just in-time for Thanksgiving. From a news release: “Win an 8’ x 11’ rug and have it in time for Thanksgiving! Kaoud Rugs is giving away one of their favorites rugs that would look amazing in your dining room this holiday. It’s simple to enter now. First, Like & Share our Facebook post that you can find at kaoud.com/contest. Next, while you’re on kaoud.com find your favorite rug and share your selection on Facebook. We’ll announce the winner Wednesday, Nov 15 at 4 p.m. EST. You can enter now at kaoud.com/contest.”
• Pond House/Zest280 owner Louis Lista has partnered with Community Partners in Action and Billings Forge to give former inmates a second chance to restart their lives. Trainees spend 12 weeks at Zest280, learning all aspects of the restaurant business and when they graduate have the opportunity to work at the Pond House. To celebrate his 60th birthday, Lista is running a half marathon, and has also launched the “Run Louis Run” fundraiser, hoping to raise $60,000 to support the social enterprise program. The fundraiser, which will be hosted by graduates and trainees in the program, is Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 5-8:30 p.m. at the Pond House. Tickets are quite appropriately $60 each, but you don’t have to be 60, or even 60-ish, to attend. Click here to purchase tickets.
• Owner Jonathan David Taub of JDT Teeth Whitening has opened a new location inside Salons by JC in Bishops Corner. “When you feel good about your smile you will want to smile more often. When you smile more often, so do others around you, so let’s make the world a happier place…smile, it really makes a difference!” said Taub. JDT Teeth Whitening uses natural plant and mineral based gels, that Taub said “are safe and have enamel building qualities and deliver fast and effective results that can be seen immediately.” Gels are made in the USA by Davinci Teeth Whitening. Appointments can be scheduled at www.jdtteethwhitening.com (Taub said to mention we-ha.com for the $109 one-hour session special) or call/text 614-208-8468 with any questions.
  

  Joyce McKenzie, courtesy photo

• Congratulations to West Hartford resident Joyce McKenzie, a live-in caregiver with Companions & Homemakers since 2001, who on Thursday, Nov. 9 received the 2017 “Exceptional Employee Award” given by the Better Business Bureau. “This prestigious award truly is deserved by Joyce,” Companions & Homemakers posted on their Facebook page. “Her work is an example that Home is possible … Congratulations Joyce! Thank you for all your hard work each day, every day.”
• From an email: “Stanger Stanfield Law, LLC is proud to announce that Sara Dickson has been admitted to the Connecticut Bar and has accepted an invitation as an attorney at the firm. She was sworn in on Nov. 3, 2017, after graduating magna cum laude from Quinnipiac University with a concentration in Health Law. Sara was very active in the student community during law school. She served as the Student Representative for the American Bar Association, as a member of the Student Bar Association and the Quinnipiac Law Review Journal, and as Vice President of the Health Law Society. A Pennsylvania native, Sara is also a magna cum laude graduate of Clarion University of Pennsylvania, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a Political Science minor in 2014. While finishing her law degree, she joined Stanger Stanfield Law as a law clerk in 2016 and proved herself to be a valuable team member. The firm is happy that she has chosen to continue her legal career with us as an attorney.”
• Finally, from the ICYMI department, Prai Kitchen is now open at 23 LaSalle Rd. Click here to read the story and see photos of the restaurant and the food. I sampled several dishes, and definitely give it a thumbs-up!

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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