A round-up of openings, closings, and other news about West Hartford businesses. [Updated, 12:10 p.m.]

Business Buzz is sponsored by NBT Bank, and we are very thankful for their support!

By Ronni Newton

If you’ve got today off for Indigenous Peoples Day or Columbus Day, I hope you have a chance to enjoy the day, even though the weather forecast does not look too promising for outdoor activities.

Despite the holiday, please note that there’s no trash or recycling delay this week and the Yard Waste and Recycling Center on Brixton Street is open. Other municipal facilities, including Town Hall, libraries, the community center, and the senior centers are closed, as are West Hartford Public Schools.

While we need the rain, I’m glad the storminess held off until after Saturday’s Hartford Marathon Foundation events. I ran the half marathon (pretty sure it’s the 19th time I have run the Hartford Half Marathon) and it was a great day! I certainly didn’t set any personal records for speed, but was fairly pleased with my time and felt great while running up until the last two miles. As I write this on Sunday afternoon, my legs are a bit tired but otherwise I feel pretty good!

Check out this great gallery of photos that Craig Rosenberg took of some of the runners passing through West Hartford!

I was careful about what I ate all last week because I didn’t want to have any stomach issues during the race (been there, done that, don’t want to have it happen ever again), but I was craving a burger and fries for Saturday night dinner. We had our traditional post-race dinner at Beachland Tavern, and my sister and her boyfriend, Carmine – both of whom also ran the half marathon – also enjoyed burgers. Ted, who volunteered for the HMF bike patrol and rode along both the half and full marathon courses handing out nutrition gel and providing other assistance on Saturday, had a Buffalo chicken wrap.

A quick note about letters to the editor: I do fact check them, and while opinions are welcome, please don’t present information as fact that cannot be verified, or is outrightly false. Also, please note that letters FROM political candidates will be accepted through Oct. 20. Other letters pertaining to the election, including endorsements for candidates that are written by others in the community, can be submitted through Sunday, Nov. 2. After that it will be too late to be in a newsletter prior to the Nov. 4 election.

If you are a long term, regular advertiser on We-Ha.com and have a 60 to 75 word submission for a future Business Buzz please send to Bob Carr at [email protected]. You can also contact Bob if you are interested in becoming a sponsor of a section of the site.

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.

If you have information to share about local businesses, please provide details in the comments or email Ronni Newton at [email protected].

**************************************************

Here’s this week’s Buzz:

• Every time I walk by the former West Elm space in Blue Back Square I peek inside to see if anything new is happening, and I was intrigued recently when I saw there was a flurry of activity, the windows were papered over, and the door was open. I asked a contractor working there who told me that the space is being subdivided, and I’m now excited to break the news that the most prominent portion of the space – 91 Memorial Road, right at the corner of Memorial and Isham – will be home to Wonder sometime in 2026! Wonder is a “mealtime platform built to satisfy every craving – without compromise and featuring multi-restaurant ordering from world-renowned chefs,” according to the company. It sounds like a great option for a family of picky eaters, a group that has diverse diners, or even two people who are each in the mood for something different, plus it’s all top quality food. Those renowned chefs and restaurants include Bobby Flay, José Andrés, and Marcus Samuelsson, alongside award-winning restaurants Tejas Barbecue and Di Fara Pizza. Wonder will offer dine-in, delivery, and pick-up options, and in a single order you can enjoy a “seamless solution for every mealtime moment” and can select – and mix-and-match – dishes from more than 20 restaurants. “We’re incredibly excited to welcome Wonder to Blue Back Square,” said Connor Nolan, Senior Director of Leasing for Brand Street Properties. “Our goal has always been to offer an unmatched mix of dining, retail, and entertainment experiences, and Wonder perfectly complements that vision. This innovative concept will bring even more energy and variety to the center and to the West Hartford community.” Wonder currently has more than 70 locations throughout the country, including in New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, and Washington, DC. The Blue Back Square location will be the fourth (or fifth) in Connecticut, following Stamford, Fairfield, and a just-opened spot in Milford, with another planned for Westport in 2026, according to the Wonder website. According to the announcement, Wonder also offers Blue Apron meal kits, heat-and-eat options, and the ability to include ordering from local restaurants through GrubHub. Permits are in progress with the town, and the opening is planned for sometime in 2026. Much more to come!

• Westfarms spokesperson Amanda Sirica confirmed that Pink Petal will be opening early next week in the former Green Teahouse space on the lower level of the shopping center near Macy’s. The business is described as a vibrant and exciting spot that offers “out of this world” food, drinks, and sweets. We look forward to adding this new bakery and café to our unique eatery offerings at Westfarms,” Sirica said previously. “Pink Petal aims to provide a fun and delicious experience for shoppers. The menu is a mix of breakfast, lunch, and sweet treats. For breakfast, you can find pancakes, French toast, oatmeal, and breakfast paninis. Lunch options include paninis, wraps, salads, and soups. The sweet treats section features cheesecakes, cupcakes, cookies, donuts, ice cream, and more! Pink Petal plans to have a competitive edge with its diverse, high-quality, and fun menu, along with a trendy and inviting atmosphere,” shared Tiffany Acosta, pastry chef and owner of Pink Petal. I will definitely test it out as soon as possible and report back!

• Congratulations to Cafe Sofia (984 Farmington Avenue) on their 15th anniversary! Owner Sofia Harutyunyan said the official celebration will take place on Thursday, Oct. 23, and they will have the Hall High School Jazz Band providing live music from 6-7:30 p.m. Crepes will be 15% off all day in honor of the 15th anniversary.

• Moms & More of West Hartford is planning the annual Halloween Stroll for 2025! The event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25 (rain date Oct. 26) from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square. They expect approximately 5,000 people to attend. “It is free for businesses to participate in the festivities – please just fill out the form you can find here: https://wehamoms.com/halloween-stroll-2025. If you do not have a location in town center, you are welcome to set up a table on the front lawn of Town Hall,” the organizers said in an email.

• Congratulations to BEST Cleaners, which has a location in West Hartford since 2021 (17 Sedgwick Road) and has been selected as the 2025 Retailer of the Year by the Connecticut Retail Network, in recognition of the company’s outstanding customer service and its commitment to community engagement as well as contributions to the state’s retail sector. The award will be presented during a ceremony at the Bushnell on Oct. 30. “BEST Cleaners exemplifies the spirit of innovation and customer-focused service that drives Connecticut’s retail sector,” said Tim Phelan, President of the Connecticut Retail Network, in a statement. “Their consistent commitment to quality, innovation and customer service has set a high standard in the industry.” Shawn McCann, President of BEST Cleaners, expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, “Best, to us, means 100% service to our customers. And 100% support for our employees. We’ve been doing both for more than 70 years We are truly honored to receive this recognition from the Connecticut Retail Network. This award is not just a reflection of our work, but a celebration of everyone who has been part of our three-generation journey. We remain committed to our customers, and providing the best there is.” The news release notes: “With locations in 13 communities across Connecticut, BEST uses GreenEarth, a natural drycleaning method that’s free of harsh chemicals. It is the most environmentally friendly cleaning solution available.  Silica, the same element found in ordinary beach sand, is the main ingredient, leaving fabrics softer and colors vibrant longer with no chemical odor. GreenEarth brings out the vibrancy in colors, while leaving fabrics feeling softer.”

• Congratulations to Boqueria, which is celebrating its 2-year anniversary in West Hartford (46 South Main Street) on Thursday, Oct. 16. They will feature an all-night happy hour and complementary cava toast with a meal. “It’s our way of saying gracias for two unforgettable years,” Boqueria said in an email announcement. Click here for details.

• Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Glastonbury and West Hartford are proud to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of ballroom dance teacher Serhii Lysenko, whose inspiring journey from Ukraine to the United States has touched the hearts of students and transformed the local dance community. Nearly two years ago, Serhii arrived in Connecticut through the Uniting for Ukraine program after his hometown was occupied amidst the ongoing war. Despite the challenges of starting a new life far from home, Serhii brought with him not only world-class dance skills but also an extraordinary passion, resilience, and kindness that have made him an irreplaceable part of the Fred Astaire family. In an email. Fred Astaire Dance Studios shared that since joining the local studios, Serhii has become one of their most beloved and sought-after instructors. His dedication to his students, his artistry, and his infectious enthusiasm have inspired dancers of all ages and levels. Through his teaching, Serhii has shown how dance can uplift, unite, and heal – even in the most difficult of times. This month, Serhii achieved another incredible milestone by breaking the New England regional record for the most ballroom dance lessons taught in a single week – 122 lessons (his goal was 115) – a testament to his tireless work ethic, passion for teaching, and commitment to excellence. “Serhii’s story reminds us that talent and perseverance can overcome any obstacle,” said Ecaterina Liubeco. “He has become a cornerstone of our studios—inspiring students not only to dance better, but to believe in themselves.”

• A belated mention of the results of the 3rd annual Blue Back Burger Bash, which was held on the rain date of Friday, Sept. 26. (I was supposed to be one of the judges, but when it was postponed I was sad to miss it because I was out of town.) Organizers shared that at the event, guests enjoyed an evening filled with delicious sliders, live entertainment, kids’ activities, and community fun. Five restaurants – Fleming’s, World of Beer (featuring two burgers/booths), Boqueria, Whole Foods Market, and The Artisan Restaurant at Delamar – grilled up their signature sliders and competed for the title of Best Burger in Blue Back. Guests donated to CT Foodshare to receive a Burger Bash Passport, taste each burger, and vote for their favorite. Every vote also entered them into a drawing for a $250 gift card to the restaurant of their choice! Other tenants also joined in the fun – Kilwins treated guests to free fudge and caramels, while Chip City Cookies handed out fresh cookies. The event was emceed by Damon Scott from iHeart Radio and featured live music, celebrity judges including Alex P. Taylor, Melissa Stemmer from CT Foodshare, Mayor Shari Cantor and Damon Scott from iHeartRadio. There was also face painting, and balloon animals. The judges’ favorite vote went to Whole Foods Market and the people’s choice winner was World of Beer. Blue Back Square shared a special thanks to all of the restaurants, retailers, partners, and guests who helped make this year’s Burger Bash the biggest and best yet!

• Tags, the thrift store that has been a pop-up in the former Exclusive Furs space at 70 LaSalle Road, closed as of this past weekend. On their Instagram (@tags.thrift), Tags noted that the space is being taken over by the future full-time tenant – which they did not mention, but which we wrote about previously – Insomnia Cookies! Tags did note on their Instagram page that they will have a fall clothing & accessory market in the private room at Sparrow Pizza Bar on Sunday, Oct. 19, from 7-11 p.m.

• LaSalle Road re-opened in both directions on Friday – and only one stretch of sidewalk (on the east side between Bricco and Harvest) remains to be reconstructed. Traffic flow, and the experience for pedestrians, is improving greatly as this year’s work on the West Hartford Center Infrastructure Master Plan comes to a close. And according to Town Manager Rick Ledwith, we could see the new trees being planted this week! Here are some updated photos.

• Also, more progress on the Animal Control facility construction!

• There are multiple West Hartford residents on the board of Journey 2 Success, a Connecticut-based nonprofit that helps disabled entrepreneurs with their business and new journeys, and the organization is holding a wild fundraiser at the popular Urban Lodge Brewery on Pratt Street on Oct. 16. The event, starting at 6 p.m., will feature the “Darling Divas” eccentric “Drag Show Bingo” as the main attraction. The famous Darling Divas, are a popular crew of Drag Queens who regularly produce shows all around the state. They sing, tell jokes, and call out bingo numbers where participants win prizes and raise funds for the non-profit they are supporting; in this case, Journey 2 Success. Other features at the Oct. 16 fundraiser are a French Burlesque-themed photo experience, jewelry and gifts from local and national stores, Wolfpack tickets, a Cannabis dispensary and the “Grand Prix” – a five-day stay at a French winery in Burgundy, France, at the home of the Founder of the Nantucket Wine Festival to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. More information can be found 0n the website.

• Body Roc (635 New Park Avenue) announced in an email that they will be closing after 10 years in business on Oct. 31, 2025. “Since in October 2015, this journey has been nothing short of amazing. The support we’ve received since day one has carried us through – from the members who’ve been with us from the very beginning, to the friends who became family, to the countless referrals that spread the BodyRoc name far beyond our respective locations. We’ve celebrated transformations, witnessed unbelievable growth, and even watched members step into the role of trainer to inspire others. We even pushed through one of the toughest times – COVID – and came out stronger because of this community. Together, we’ve built something bigger than just a gym,” the email announcement states. “While this may be the end of our physical space, it’s not the end of BodyRoc. The name, the spirit, and the community will always be present. We’ll continue to show up in other ways – through apparel, pop-up events, and whatever else the future brings. BodyRoc isn’t gone, it’s just evolving.” For updates, visit the website.

• Fuchs Financial, a Connecticut-based financial services firm providing retirement and wealth management services (West Hartford office is at 433 South Main Street), has launched a new podcast series this month. On the new podcast, titled Fuchs Around & Cal Them Out, financial advisors Ben Fuchs and Alex Cal share client stories and their expertise to illustrate timely topics impacting retirement and financial planning. The podcast can be accessed on the Fuchs Financial website, TaxesAndIncome.com, or on popular podcast sites including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeart, Rephonic, Listen Notes, and You Tube.

• Click here to listen to the most recent episode of the On The Scene podcast, where hosts Tom Hickey and Bob Carr sit down with artists Sam Ferri and Kelly Kelly to explore the story behind the town’s most talked-about public art project: the vibrant bench installations that have transformed community spaces into living galleries.

• 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].

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.