West Hartford Business Buzz: October 13, 2014

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

By Ronni Newton

Young’s Oriental will remain open under new ownership. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

If you have been reading We-Ha.com on a regular basis, you know what Business Buzz is: a weekly column with tidbits or links to other stories about West Hartford businesses. One reader suggested that this column needs no introduction, and since we agree, we will get right to the buzz.

However, we do feel the need for a reminder that this column needs your input, too! 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].

• Sakura Garden in Edens Bishops Corner Shopping Center closed in June, but the space will soon be occupied by another restuarant with Asian roots. Koma Steakhouse, which is a Japanese steakhouse, will soon open at 345 North Main St. We don’t have the full details yet, but it has been confirmed and this is not just rumor.
• Also coming to the Edens’ Bishops Corner Shopping Center is Great Clips. The convenience-oriented salon, which is open evenings and weekends with no appointment necessary, according to its website now offers “the industry’s first Online Check-In service, allowing customers to add their name to the wait list of a Great Clips salon—before they arrive.” Great Clips will open at the end of October, next to Silk Nails in the space formerly occupied by AT&T. The AT&T store has not closed, but has moved within the plaza and is now next to Pet Value.
• We paid a visit to Young’s Oriental Grocery & Gifts at 167 Park Rd. based on a reader-submitted tip that the market was either closing or moving. The owner was  there, and happened to have some very positive breaking news about her situation. She is retiring, and had planned to close the store. However, when the community realized that they would be losing the store, she was approached by a buyer, and the sale is scheduled to go through this week. Young’s will be under new ownership, but will remain open and at the current location.
• We now have all the details about A Little Something Bakery’s upcoming move to 485 New Park Ave., which will be effective Nov. 1. The following is from owner Beth Bolton: We will no longer have a retail front, but we are here for our community as the go-to-place for all your special event needs. We will also be able to accommodate any corporate  bakery order. We have made the move to cut operational expenses and be a stronger company.  Our cake business is ever growing and this move essential to keep up with the demand. It was our plan to stay on Park Road, but we couldn’t pass up the spot at 485 New Park Ave. They are welcoming us with open arms and we are very excited about our move. I would like everybody to know that we will have a retail presence on Park Road. Catherine Denton at AC Petersen’s is putting in a “pop up shop” –  a “mini” ALSB, she will carry cupcakes, bars and biscotti. Customers will not be able to place orders with there, they also will not be able to get any anything more than 1 dozen cupcakes from her. For any larger order or custom order the will have to call the bakery (860-586-8711). If customers are having that “sometimes you need a little something” fix, then that is the place to go. We are not closing, just moving and redirecting ourselves. We are here to make that cake for your, no matter how big or how small. Can’t wait to see everyone at our “new home.”
• The final piece of news for this week’s buzz is about a business that isn’t in West Hartford but since it’s just a block over the border and was frequented by many West Hartford residents, we’re going to consider it close enough. O’Porto, the Portuguese Restaurant at 2074 Park St., Hartford, has closed. A tip from one of our readers advised that the restaurant is shuttered and “for rent” signs are in the windows. The phone number is no longer in service.

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].