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

By Ronni Newton

Welcome to November, and the end of Daylight Saving Time. Since I’m more of a night owl than an early riser, I really wasn’t minding how dark it was in the morning. I didn’t enjoy how early it got dark on Sunday.

Now that Halloween has passed, we’re all about to be barraged by holiday advertising. Our local West Hartford businesses will have some great offers as well, so stay tuned for “shop local” news in this column.

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:

• Do you remember when West Hartford was becoming known as the “burger capital of the world”? That’s a bit of an exaggeration, but several years ago it seemed that new burger-oriented restaurants were opening almost every month. Several have since closed, but there are still many great burger places around, and perhaps in response, it appears that we now have a proliferation of gyms/fitness studios in West Hartford. There’s a great variety – so no excuses for being a couch potato! One place to check out after enjoying – and perhaps first digesting – a great meal from a West Hartford restaurant is BODYROC Fit Lab. Connecticut’s first “dynamic, boutique boxing studio,” located at 641 New Park Ave., opened in October, but is having its official grand opening and a ribbon-cutting with the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Nov. 5, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. According to the invitation from BODYROC owner Shaun Chambers, “Attendees will have the opportunity to learn first-hand about Connecticut’s first innovative dynamic, boutique boxing studio. The signature circuit-style workout (where you can burn 1000+ calories in 50 minutes) combines heavy bag boxing, self-propelled treadmills, and weight training in a dance club environment. With mood lighting that keeps you motivated and live entertainment to keep your body ROC‘n, the BODYROC Xperience is designed to melt away fat, shred your body, and provide a fun, upbeat environment for all fitness levels. Owner and Operator, Shaun Chambers will greet the public and provide a host of activities, entertainment and demonstrations, including: music, raffles, food prepared by Chef Jay, bodyassessments and massage therapy. This will be accompanied by a meet-and-greet with Mayor Scott Slifka and special appearance by Kiss 95.7 who will be giving away a pair of Janet Jackson concert tickets!! There’s no cost, but if you plan to attend, please click here to RSVP so they can get a head count.
• If boxing doesn’t motivate you, Akua Ba Fitness has another option to help you work off those burgers and fries. Akua Ba is celebrating its one-year anniversary of the move to 121 Talcott Rd. in West Hartford, where their custom-designed facility has two levels and more than 10,000 square feet that includes state-of-the-art equipment, locker rooms with showers, and their “proprietary Area 51 Obstacle Course.” Akua Ba, which is owned by D’Mario Sowah, specializes in “reverse evolution training” which engages the core to increase the burning of fat, decrease the chance of injury, and maximize the benefit. Look for more information about the anniversary open house, scheduled for Nov. 5, coming later this week.
• On Saturday afternoon, I happened upon several women standing on the sidewalk on Farmington Avenue who were visibly upset that they needed to “feed the parking meter” and thought they had to walk back to the area where they had parked the car. I explained to them that they could use any kiosk in the Center to add extra time, but also could download the PassportParking app and pay for parking from a smartphone, and even get the first hour for free since they would be new app users. They were very grateful for that information. Click here for the details.
• The YMCA fundraiser, “An Evening of Wine and Laughter,” is scheduled for Saturday night, Nov. 7, at West Hartford Town Hall. The wine tasting is courtesy of West Hartford’s Maximum Beverage. Radio personality Mark “the Shark” will serve as emcee and entertainment will include live comedy courtesy of Tommy Koenig of Comedy Central and National Lampoon, and local comedian Rick Roberts. Tickets for the event, which supports the YMCA’s local programming and Camp Jewell, are $50 each and can be purchased online at www.ghymcawine.kintera.org or by calling Camp Jewell at (888) 412-CAMP.
• West Hartford’s Billy Grant, chef/owner of Grants Restuarant and Bar and Restaurant Bricco in West Hartford (as well as Bricco Trattoria in Glastonbury), is one of three finalists for the Connecticut Restaurant Association’s “Chef of the Year”! You can vote for him by clicking here. West Hartford is also represented as a finalist in the Casual Restaurant category (Plan B Burger Bar), Caterer (Max Catering), and Mixologist (Derek Vitale of Max’s Oyster Bar).
• The following management promotions were announced by Joseph Family Markets, owner and operator of the ShopRites in West Hartford and Canton: Vince Budds of West Hartford has been promoted to Assistant Manager at the ShopRite of West Hartford. Vince has been in the industry for more than 12 years, and has held management positions in the Meat and Seafood departments. Elizabeth Barcellos of Burlington has been promoted to Seafood Manager at the ShopRite of Canton. Barcellos has been in the industry for two years and played a key role in the Canton store’s new overnight fresh seafood program. Alex Busel of Unionville has been promoted to Non-Foods and Health and Beauty Manager at the ShopRite of West Hartford. He has been in the industry for five years, and been an associate at Joseph Family Markets since the company’s inception.

Remember, if you have any business news to share, remember to add it in the comments section below or email Ronni Newton at [email protected].

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