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 was another beautiful weekend – and I hope we’re not going to pay for this gorgeous weather.

The autumn colors seem to be at peak. There are two trees right next to each other that I drive by regularly (on Webster Hill Boulevard, on the curve at the intersection with Westbrook) that have the most amazing fall foliage, and this year it’s particularly spectacular. I took this photo on Thursday.

Trees on Webster Hill Boulevard. Oct. 17, 2024. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

I was out of town again this weekend (not going anywhere again for quite some time!) attending the wedding of the daughter of my best friend from high school (who was the maid of honor in our wedding). The wedding was in the Berkshires, and the fall colors there were amazing! The ceremony itself was outdoors at Gedney Farm (New Marlborough, MA), and the setting was beautiful. We attended the full weekend of wedding-related activities, which meant I wasn’t in town to run the Hartford Half Marathon like I usually do, but Ted and I took a great 3.5-mile hike to the top of Monument Mountain just outside Great Barrington (and I wore a “Run Hartford 13.1” shirt to be there in spirit), and then enjoyed a delicious lunch at a cafe in the town. I had driven through Great Barrington but never stopped there – and will have to go back because it’s such a cute town with lots of shops and restaurants.

On top of Monument Mountain.

View from Monument Mountain, Great Barrington, MA. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Last week was another busy week in West Hartford, and looking back the assortment of activities I attended and covered included speaking with Gov. Ned Lamont (twice in the same day), as well as U.S. Rep. John Larson, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, two state commissioners, the mayor and multiple Town Council members, state Sen. Derek Slap, state Rep. Kate Farrar (several times), Lhakpa Sherpa, actor John O’Hurley (that story to come), nonprofit leaders and many business owners. Covering local news definitely isn’t boring!

We again weren’t in town for Saturday night dining – but the chicken dinner pictured below was my meal from the wedding and it was excellent, as was the grilled cheese I had at a small cafe in Great Barrington for lunch on Saturday. Ted’s grilled PB&J was also quite yummy! I did visit a few West Hartford restaurants during the week, and enjoyed the frittata from Nero Kitchen, and sampled some menu items from Z Bowls at lunchtime on Thursday! A few of the Z Bowls photos are directly below, but the rest are featured with the write-up in the main section of this column.

Falafel at Z Bowls, now open at 165 Park Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Chicken eggplant bowl at Z Bowls, now open at 165 Park Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Bacon and caramelized onion frittata at Nero Kitchen. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Grilled PB&J, grilled cheese, Great Barrington. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Wedding dinner, Gedney Farm. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

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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:

Chicken eggplant bowl (chicken shawarma, baked eggplant, mozzarella cheese, sumac onions, pickles, and Z sauce) at Z Bowls, now open at 165 Park Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Z Bowls had its soft opening last week at 165 Park Road, and I had a chance to sample an assortment of dishes on the menu at the new Mediterranean restaurant. Z Bowls is the transformation of what was Zaytoon’s Bistro, and it’s the same ownership, but just a new concept. While Z Bowls is more of a “fast casual” concept with menu items that work well for take-out, everything is still made to order, and prepared fresh, owner Zainab Hayajneh said. “It’s worth it to wait when you get fresh food,” she said, and nothing they serve has been frozen. Bowls are of a course a staple of the menu, and there are several signature bowls (chicken eggplant as seen above, as well as chicken fries and the meatball bowl made with Zainab’s special meatballs), build-your-own bowl options, wraps, burgers, and grilled chicken. Falafel “fingers” (they are oval, rather than round) are available as a side dish or as the main ingredient in a wrap, the eggplant is baked in the oven with spices and olive oil (not fried), and even the carrots are shredded on site. “It’s all fresh ingredients, healthy foods,” Zainab said, and indeed the chicken eggplant bowl I sampled, prepared with Ouzi rice, was warm and savory and you could absolutely taste the freshness. The falafel was lightly crisped, and I could have eaten the balela salad as a meal itself. The eggplant was so tender – both in the salad and on the chicken handheld, and also packed with flavor. There are vegan options on the menu (any of the falafel dishes, and there is no chicken stock used in the preparation of the rice), and other than the sandwiches or wraps, most items are gluten free. Food can be ordered to go (call 860-937-5125 to order in advance if you don’t want to wait at all), or you can eat inside or on the patio, and BYOB is welcome with glasses provided and no corkage fee. There will be an official grand opening soon, but the current hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Zainab and her husband, Omar, also still own Zaytoon Mediterranean Kitchen, which opened in April 2023 at 1126 New Britain Avenue, and that remains a sit-down restaurant with table service and it’s where you can find your favorites from the Zaytoon’s Bistro menu as well. The complete Z Bowls menu can be found at the bottom of this column.

Balela salad (chickpeas, red onion, green pepper, olives, parsley) at Z Bowls, now open at 165 Park Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Falafel at Z Bowls, now open at 165 Park Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Grilled chicken topped with eggplant and mozzarella cheese, and Zaatar fries at Z Bowls, now open at 165 Park Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Z Bowls is now open at 165 Park Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Z Bowls is now open at 165 Park Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Z Bowls is now open at 165 Park Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• There is a new business that is planning to open on the second floor of 76 LaSalle Road, following the Town Plan and Zoning Commission (TPZ) unanimous approval of a Special Use Permit for The Book Club – which according to its website “is a unique program designed to foster a love of reading, build strong habits of discourse, and strengthen critical comprehension skills during the foundational years for young readers.” The business, which is classified as a private school, is owned by Heather Moran, and will offer classes (45 minutes to an hour) for groups of 12 to 15 children at a time, ages toddler through upper elementary school. Moran, according to the submitted business plan, “is an experienced educator of 15 years, curriculum developer, and school leader with a Masters in Education, The Book Club aims to provide an enriching program that goes beyond the confines of traditional school-based reading programs. Through high-interest read-alouds, engaging activities, and group discussions, The Book Club helps children develop a passion for reading while honing important social and analytical skills.” I’ll share news about the opening date when that’s available.

Floorplan for The Book Club. Screenshot, Town of West Hartford

Access to The Book Club at 76 LaSalle Road will be through the door that leads to Mission Escape. Photo credit: Ronni Newton (we-ha.com file photo)

• West Hartford Dry Cleaners is now open in the space at 2477 Albany Avenue in Bishops Corner that was formerly Dry Kleaning by McKleans. Arksone Anachack, who is managing the business for the new owners, said the transition in ownership and management took place several weeks ago. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. “We’re hoping to service our customers better,” he said.

West Hartford Dry Cleaners has taken over the McKleans space at 2477 Albany Ave. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Aria Nail Spa (where I have been getting my nails done since they first opened in Blue Back Square four years ago) has now completed their move two doors down, and reopened Thursday at 72 Memorial Road according to Sue, the owner. The space is much larger, and they have increased the number of both manicure and pedicure chairs. For more information, call 860-232-7007.

Aria Nail Spa has moved two doors down, to 72 Memorial Road. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• I drove by last week to check out the construction of the building in Prospect Plaza that will house Chipotle (with a Chipotlane), Jersey Mike’s, and Teriyaki Madness, and the work is really coming along. The official plan is for the building to be complete by early 2025, but I heard they may even exceed expectations and be ready to open by the end of 2024.

Construction on the future Chipotle, Jersey Mike’s, Teriyaki Madness in Prospect Plaza. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Construction on the future Chipotle, Jersey Mike’s, Teriyaki Madness in Prospect Plaza. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Congratulations to West Hartford resident, chef Zach Shuman, who returned to Butchers & Bakers last week!

Zach Shuman is executive chef at Butchers & Bakers. Courtesy photo (we-ha.com file photo)

• Congratulations to Clare Kindall, Board President of West Hartford Fellowship Housing, who has been awarded the prestigious LeadingAge Connecticut Trustee of the Year Award. This honor recognizes a member organization trustee who has exemplified excellence in governance and a steadfast dedication to the not-for-profit mission. The West Hartford Fellowship Housing team proudly accepted the award on Clare’s behalf during the LeadingAge Connecticut annual meeting held last week at the Aqua Turf Club. “Thank you to LeadingAge Connecticut for this unexpected award – I am deeply honored,” said Kindall.  “This award really does not belong to me – it is a reflection of the 50 years of service and community and belongs to the residents, volunteers, employees, and Board members of West Hartford Fellowship Housing.  We are proud to provide much more than housing – we provide homes for those most in need.,” she said. “Clare is a true servant leader with an unwavering commitment to the health and wellbeing of our residents, as well as to expanding affordable housing options for those in need,” said Mark Garilli, CEO of West Hartford Fellowship Housing. “Her leadership has been instrumental in guiding our organization toward significant achievements.” Kindall’s leadership has been particularly evident in her role overseeing the board of directors through a comprehensive master plan redevelopment. This ambitious initiative involves the demolition of 23 buildings, to be replaced with six multistory structures designed to add a minimum of 87 additional affordable housing units in West Hartford. In addition to her contributions to West Hartford Fellowship Housing, Kindall has served in various local elected offices, including the West Hartford Town Council and the Board of Education. Most recently, she retired from her appointment as Solicitor General for the State of Connecticut. “Clare inspires us all, and we are confident that she will continue to drive our organization toward greater success,” added Garilli. West Hartford Fellowship Housing is proud to celebrate Clare Kindall’s achievements and her commitment to serving the community. West Hartford Fellowship Housing is a non-profit provider of affordable housing and related services for the elderly and adults with disabilities. For more information, please visit whfh.org or contact [email protected].

Clare Kindall. Courtesy photo

• West Hartford native, Dr. James Geisler is proud to announce the development of a groundbreaking mental health workbook designed to support students as they transition from high school to college. Geisler who earned a PhD in Counseling from Oregon State University in 2021, a Master’s from Fairfield University in 2015, and a Bachelor’s from the University of Connecticut in 2011, has dedicated his career to overseeing student wellness in the higher education sector here in Connecticut. Through his professional experiences, Dr. Geisler has seen common struggles among first-year students, and through this experience has developed a resource to help students develop a strong foundation for their first year at college. The workbook aims to bridge the gap between high school and university life, helping first-year students build resilience, reflect critically on their life experiences, and develop a strong foundation for academic, personal, and social success. The workbook, titled Thrive Year One: The Essential Mental Health Workbook for First-Year College Students is tailored specifically for young adults experiencing the unknowns of academic, social, and personal change as they step into college life. With a focus on social connection, establishing healthy boundaries, building a wellness routine, embracing diversity, and developing help-seeking skills, the workbook offers practical, self-paced, and interactive exercises that empower students to navigate common challenges they will inevitably face in their first year of college.

Dr. James Geisler. Courtesy photo

• Another West Hartford resident who has recently written a book is Jillian Gilchrest, who represents the town’s 18th District in the State House. Her book, “Feminist Advocacy: Championing Gender & Social Justice,” is available on Amazon.

• West Hartford-based Global Medical Virtual Assistants (GMVA) announced in a news release last week that the company, a premier provider of remote staffing solutions for medical practices across the U.S., has appointed three new leadership team members and relocated its corporate headquarters from South Quaker Lane to a larger, state-of-the-art office space at 65 LaSalle Road, Suite 209, to accommodate the company’s continued growth. According to the release, the “new appointments include Lisa Pesce as Director of Global Operations, Paul Chabot in the capacity of Chief Information Officer (CIO), and Anne Valsangiacomo as Chief of Staff. These experienced professionals will play a crucial role in advancing GMVA’s commitment to providing unmatched virtual staffing solutions to healthcare providers nationwide. Beth Lachance, CEO and founder of GMVA, expressed her excitement about the additions to the leadership team: ‘We are thrilled to welcome Lisa, Paul, and Anne to Global Medical Virtual Assistants. Their collective expertise in healthcare operations, IT strategy, and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to expand and innovate. With their guidance, we will enhance our service offerings, ensuring that medical practices across the country have the virtual support they need to focus on what truly matters – patient care.’ Lisa Pesce, the newly appointed Director of Global Operations, brings a wealth of experience in healthcare management and mental health. With a doctorate and a distinguished career in senior leadership roles, she will oversee GMVA’s global operations, ensuring that the company’s virtual staffing solutions continue to meet the highest standards of efficiency and regulatory compliance. Paul Chabot, working in the capacity of CIO, brings nearly 30 years of experience in IT leadership to GMVA. With expertise in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and healthcare IT systems, Paul will lead the company’s digital transformation, optimizing its IT infrastructure to better serve its clients. Anne Valsangiacomo joins GMVA as Chief of Staff with over two decades of experience in healthcare consulting and operational leadership. Anne’s background in health systems management and her role at the Connecticut Department of Public Health will contribute to GMVA’s mission of streamlining administrative processes for healthcare providers.”
• Click here to listen to the latest installment of the “On the Scene” podcast, where hosts Tom Hickey and Bob Carr talk with On The Scene hosts Tom Hickey and Bob Carr talk with Eric Feeney about his nonprofit Friends of Feeney and how they help families in need. Podcasts can also be found at the bottom of the home page on the revamped We-Ha.com website!

On the Scene podcast logo

• This week’s sad news is from buybuy Baby. The following was posted on Facebook on Saturday, and many people also received an email: “Our company has an announcement. The demand of consumers has changed, and as such, so are we. Based on the feedback from our loyal customers, we are shifting away from the brick-and-mortar model for the near term, and redefining ourselves as a digital-first brand. We are placing a stronger emphasis on our e-commerce and wholesale capabilities and our plan moving forward is to focus all of our efforts into our digital platform. We are proud of the portfolio of brands we have been able to accumulate, and we will continue to focus on improving our online shopping experience on our website and app. Additionally, We are expanding our distribution network to support faster and more efficient delivery. These enhancements will enable us to meet increasing demand and ensure that our products are available to customers whenever and wherever they need them. By resetting now, we are positioning ourselves for long-term growth and success. We’re excited about this new chapter and confident that our renewed focus will create more value for our customers, partners, and team members.  Come check out the deals! And as always, we are here to answer all of your questions, see you soon!”

buybuy Baby reopened in The Corbin Collection last winter, but is now closing again. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• ICYMI, last week Triumph celebrated the grand opening of their Thermal Solutions Development Center in West Hartford. The expansion of the advanced manufacturing facility was hailed by Gov. Ned Lamont, U.S. Rep. John Larson, DECD Commissioner Dan O’Keefe, and other state and local officials who attended the ribbon cutting. Read the complete story here.
• Congratulations to the amazing Lhakpa Sherpa on being the focus of a recently-released documentary on Netflix, “Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa.” I had a chance to speak with her about the film, her past, and her future at an event last week. Complete details can be found here.

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

Z Bowls menu. Courtesy image

Z Bowls menu. Courtesy image

Z Bowls menu. Courtesy image

Z Bowls menu. Courtesy image

Z Bowls menu. Courtesy image

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