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

It’s been another full week of activities – and suddenly Thanksgiving and the rest of the holidays are looming on the near horizon.

On Monday I had my visit to Santa Claus at Westfarms with spokesperson Amanda Sirica. I think I’ve been reporting on the launch of the holiday shopping season for about 15 years now, and Amanda and I have been taking photos together every year since at least 2016!

On Tuesday I was honored to be asked to speak to the Old Guard about “Why Local News Matters” – and since my presentation was during the town’s annual Veterans Day ceremony, I am very thankful to ace reporter Ted Newton (aka my husband) for filling in and expertly covering that event! Thank you to our Conard and Hall interns for also covering Veterans Day events at their schools on Tuesday.

There was a Q&A at the end of my Old Guard presentation, and one person asked about Millie. I promised to share a photo of her with her new haircut. She hasn’t really wanted to pose for me, so I had to catch her sleeping.

One of my favorite events took place last week: the annual Morley Red Wagon Food Drive. This initiative has been happening for 31 years now, and the outpouring of generosity this year was likely a new record – with more than 3,000 items donated and 72 wagons so overflowing with food that a car had to be used to bring the extra. The smiles on the faces of the Kindergarten through grade 2 students – as they made their trek to Town Hall, unloaded their cargo with the help of volunteers, and received thanks for their support of the Food Pantry – were just priceless.

Story to come on another heartwarming event that I covered on Friday at Charter Oak.

The last UConn football game of the season was at noon on Saturday – and it was our final tailgate of the season as well, again featuring egg sandwiches and Bloody Marys.

We went to The Laurel for Saturday night dinner – and please scroll down to the first bullet point for photos of our amazing meal! We ordered way too many items, and I am very much looking forward to enjoying the leftovers this week.

In addition writing this column on Sunday, I went for a very windy and a bit rainy run with my friend Laurie, and on the way into the craft fair at St. Peter Claver enjoyed hanging out with the alpacas (this year’s visitors were named Kahlua & Cream and Vogue).

No trolls this week, and thank you to all who do comment with your full names! 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.

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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:

• When The Laurel opened in the former Corner Pug space (1046 New Britain Avenue in Elmwood) last January, Ashley Flagg, who co-owns the restaurant with her wife, Rebekah Flagg, said that the next step would be transforming the separate room on the west side of the building for private dining and event space. And while they are still putting the finishing touches on the walls, the renovated room is ready for use! The walls, floor, and tin ceiling have all been given a makeover, and what will likely be a botanical-themed mural by Jaime Jones (who created the mountain laurel mural in the main dining room) is coming as soon as possible to the blank space on the far wall. “The room can accommodate 40 people,” Ashley said, for anything from cocktails to three- or four-course formal meals, to family-style dining. They have a few holiday parties already booked, and Ashley noted that they can also host events on Mondays or Tuesdays (when they are otherwise closed) and hold buy-outs in the main part of the restaurant. For the new room credited Rebekah (who designed the rest of the space) for the visual inspiration, including the choice of “Dark Forest” as the paint for the lower part of the walls, and “Laurel Woods” for the tin ceiling paint. “It’s exciting,” she said of reaching this next phase of the business. I timed my tour of the new event space – where there were a few tables of people eating dinner – to coincide with a Saturday night dinner. It had been way too long since Ted and I had a full dinner at The Laurel but we definitely won’t wait that long again. The menu changes seasonally, based on locally available ingredients, and other than the griddled burger we ordered items that we had never tried before – all of which were exquisitely delicious! As I said in the introduction above, we had a hard time deciding so we ordered way too much, but I’m also a big fan of leftovers.

• I’ve received numerous questions about what’s going on with the Phillips 66 gas station at the northwest corner of Albany Avenue and North Main Street in Bishops Corner (2526 Albany Avenue) since construction fencing has recently appeared. While the station, which is no longer owned by the Lyons family (their business is now completely moved to New Britain Avenue in Elmwood), is currently closed, it is not being transformed into a completely different type of occupancy, although the auto repair business is being eliminated. (It’s not becoming apartments, as one reader asked.) The town approved a site plan for the façade updates and the permit application indicates plans to “expand the existing convenience store to encompass existing mechanic bays and upgrade building’s facade to modernize and enhance its aesthetic appeal for ‘Phillips 66 Gas Station.”

• Congrats to Julian Grant, owner of FemCare Medspa, who celebrated the grand opening of her new location with a ribbon cutting with the Chamber of Commerce and town officials on Wednesday! FemCare moved from renting a room at SOLA Salons in Blue Back Square to a suite at 20 Jefferson Avenue (behind 485 New Park) and provides aesthetic and other holistic wellness services including treatments for women’s intimate health. Visit the FemCare website for more details.

• As mentioned in the introduction, I had a visit with Santa at Westfarms last week – and also had a chance to see what’s new for the holidays. New stores/pop-ups include the personalized ornament kiosk (lower level near center court), See’s Candies (right next to Santa’s Flight Academy in center court), and Go Calendars Games & Toys (upper level, Nordstrom wing). I don’t know when it’s. opening, but a sign on the barrier indicates that Hobbytown Toys is “coming soon” to the lower level, near Macy’s.

• I’ll be attending the ribbon cutting for Wild Soul Fitness (1003 Farmington Avenue) at 1 p.m. this Thursday and will have photos in next week’s column from that event, but wanted to let readers know before next weekend that they will be having an official grand opening celebration on Saturday, Nov. 22, featuring free sample classes as well as “fun giveaways,” co-founder and owner Heather Zoeller said. Co-founder and Director of Operations Candace Montagnon said Wild Soul is collecting donations for the the West Hartford Food Pantry for the entire month of November at 1003 Farmington Avenue location. “We are also running an exciting special the week of Thanksgiving: new guests can try select classes for free, simply by bringing a food donation to the gym. We encourage people to email: [email protected] to secure their place in class,” she said. To register for one of the free classes, “purchase” a single drop in class for $25, and then use code: “Food2025” to receive a 100% discount, she added.

• The Miale Team at Keller Williams will be holding their third annual Turkey Drive to support Connecticut Foodshare next weekend. the event will be held at West Hartford Town Hall on Sunday, Nov. 23, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. In addition to collecting donations of frozen turkeys as well as monetary support, there will be family-friendly activities, local vendors, and sponsor booths. Donations can also be made online here. “As we head into the holidays, our goal is simple: help ensure no family goes without a Thanksgiving meal. Connecticut Foodshare supports thousands of households across the state, and these Turkey Drives are our chance to make a real impact,” the Miale Team said in an email.

• I reached out to the ownership/management of Level99 last week for an update on the buildout of the experiential business in The Corbin Collection that will offer more than 50 “mental and physical challenges set in immersive artistic environments” in the 41,426 square foot space that can accommodate up to 600 players plus 250 diners in the restaurant area which will be a collaboration with Two Roads Kitchen & Tap. Originally they had indicated plans to open in late 2025 or early 2026. “We are experiencing unforeseen delays in our construction, and as a result our opening will now be in the later part of 2026. I will reach out with more news on an updated timeline when it becomes available. I want to assure you and all of West Hartford that we are still very committed to West Hartford and are excited to join the community,” a spokesperson for Level99 said in response to my inquiry. More information about Level99 can be found here.

• I noticed last week that the Donut Crazy sign has been removed from 993 Farmington Avenue, soon to be the home of Crêpes Choupette. No update on the opening plans yet – last they told me it was early next year – but it’s good to see some signs of progress.

• In the storefront along New Park Avenue that’s in the rear of the building occupied by The Laurel, a sign in the window says that ISA Cafe is “coming soon.” I noticed the sign while stopped for the light at New Britain Avenue, and went back to take a photo. I’ve been trying to find out details about this business but hitting brick walls. Anyone know about it?

• Also noticed over the course of two days while driving down New Park Avenue: 579 New Park was mostly demolished last week – the start of the development of The Jayden. The awarding of Brownfield grants for this project as well as another on Park road was first announced in June. Hexagon New Park LLC, led by Elmwood natives Tommy and Jason Li, will receive $688,000 for demolition and remediation of 579 New Park Avenue, a 1.21-acre site that the Hexagon Group plans to develop into the 70-unit mixed-use The Jayden.

• See the photos below for various construction updates – the new Animal Control facility on Brixton Street, West Hartford Infrastructure Master Plan on LaSalle Road which is mostly completed, and a bonus photo of One West Hartford (950 Trout Brook Drive) which is now leasing.

• Patrick Daly (left) and Shawn Richard (right) recently presented a check for $2,500 to the West Hartford Food Pantry on behalf of the West Hartford Exchange Club. Tullulah Pickens, the program coordinator (center), accepted the check and expressed her appreciation for all the Exchange Club has done over the years for the Food Pantry.

• Congratulations to the Town of West Hartford! According to a news release: “The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Town of West Hartford for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024. The report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive ‘spirit of full disclosure’ to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. Special thanks and recognition are due to Lisa Newton, Pattie Lewis, Angela Iudiciani, Karie Hupfer, Erica Sledge, Jackie McLaughlin, and all the Financial Services staff who made this award possible. The GFOA established the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program (CAFR Program) in 1945 to encourage and assist state and local governments to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare comprehensive annual financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure, and then to recognize individual governments that succeed in achieving that goal. The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources, and practical research to more than 21,000 members and the communities they serve.

• Congratulations to Debbie Mehlman and Corey Glider, both of West Hartford, who are the new co-chairs of the Lillian Fund, a giving circle for women at the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford. “We are thrilled to have Debbie and Corey leading the Lillian Fund,” said Carly Norman, Development Officer at the Jewish Community Foundation. “Their energy, compassion and commitment will help carry the Lillian Fund’s mission forward in powerful ways.” Launched in 1999, the Lillian Fund giving circle empowers women and children to pursue personal and professional opportunities. Members support this mission by providing gifts to the Lillian Fund and awarding annual grants to nonprofits in Greater Hartford and in Israel. “Each gift and grant reflects the belief that when women collectively support families, communities become stronger,” said Norman. Grants provide support for education programs, domestic violence services, mental health counseling and job training, to name a few. For more information, please email Carly Norman, Development Officer at the Jewish Community Foundation, [email protected], or visit www.jcfhartford.org.

• ICYMI, the winners of the 2025 Best of West Hartford will be celebrated tonight, from5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Back Nine Tavern at Stanley Golf Course. The event will also include “Dancing with the WeHa Stars.” Click here for complete details, including a list of winners.
• 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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