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

By Ronni Newton

Mark Twain said, “If you don’t like the weather in New England, just wait a few minutes,” and that was most certainly true on Saturday.

It was warm and humid in the morning, and started to sprinkle just as we set up our tailgate before the UConn football game. Luckily we finished grilling up our bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches just as the heavens opened up with a soaking rain. We were also lucky that we were right there at the car and able to quickly seek shelter. The game itself (we stayed until the very end, and no mention of the score here) was rainy, then sunny, then windy, then windy and rainy. It took me until Sunday morning to feel warmed up and thawed out.

I was once again planned to write a little something here about the beautiful fall foliage (which is spectaculr), but again have been sidetracked by something else.

Magnets have been stolen. Again. All but the 13.1. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

In a Business Buzz column in August I thanked the kind people who replaced two of the four magnets that had been stolen off my car near the Conard baseball field. I replaced another one  later in August when I went on vacation, and my sister just replaced the 13.1 magnet for me when she went to the Hartford Marathon expo. I was very happy for the week or so that I had a full complement of magnets again.

Three of those magnets were stolen from the Stop & Shop on Newington Road late Sunday afternoon, and boy am I fuming mad. Yes, I know it’s a first world problem, but  just such a senseless act of vandalism to take things that have no value except to me. I don’t think anyone can sell the magnets at a profit, so it’s not like someone is stealing them to get money to feed their families or keep warm during the winter.

Note I say three of the four; they left the “13.1.” My guess is that it was a kid or more likely a group of kids (when I got home I called them punks and thugs … well actually I called them something that can’t be printed here), but really, why would someone want to steal car magnets.

At this point I guess I will sadly bid goodbye forever to my CHS magnet, since I have accepted the fact that I don’t have any students at the school anymore. But for obvious reasons I can’t be without a WeHa magnet. And I really like the flowered Nantucket magnet, so I will have to buy yet another one of those next time I have a chance to get out there. And I will hope that the magnets don’t get stolen again.

Grrrr…..

I hope to share some fall photos next week.

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:

GolfTEC will open in Elmwood, between Pepe’s and Subway, in early 2017. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• The space vacated by the Puppy Center in Elmwood has been vacant for quite a while – but that will soon change with the opening of Connecticut’s first GolfTEC! According to West Hartford resident Michelle Souza, whose family will open the new business, “GolfTEC Hartford’s mission is to help people play better golf by utilizing the latest in video playback, motion analysis, and launch monitor technology to ensure a fact-based understanding of the golf swing. This technology provides the PGA professional staff with vital information, helping to create significant lasting changes in the shortest time possible. The staff are known as coaches, not teachers or instructors, because they help each player with every aspect of the game. This comprehensive approach includes on-course playing lessons, short-game lessons, putting lessons, practice habits, and mental coaching. Coaches also conduct detailed club fittings and offer the custom equipment with no additional markup. Dave Souza, who is a West Hartford native and worked in the Boston GolfTEC market for six years as a Certified Coach, will manage the 1146 New Britain Ave. location set to open in early 2017. In the meantime, get to know GolfTEC by visiting www.golftec.com.”
  

  Dogology will soon be opening at 5 Sedgwick Rd. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

• Speaking of puppies, there’s a new dog business also opening in West Hartford. The sign went up sometime in the past few days, and we weren’t able to get any details about timing, but Dogology will be opening soon at 5 Sedgwick Rd. (near the intersection of South Main). Dogology, owned by Marissa Garson and Ben Garson, has an existing location in Canton, which according to its website has won numerous “best of” awards. The Canton location offers pet food (for cats as well as for dogs), private and group dog training, dog adoption through reputable agencies, and wellness services such as acupressure and massage. Visit the Dogology website for more details about the business.
• Seen on Facebook is a new business by a young entrepreneur. West Hartford native and UConn junior Caroline Murray has decided to turn her love of baking into a business with the perfect name: Sweet Caroline’s! She will create homemade cookies, pies, cupcakes, and seasonal favorites for holiday, birthday parties, special occasions, and more. For additional information – and to see some images bound to rev up your sweet tooth – visit the Facebook page or website.
• Bluemercury in West Hartford Center is very excited about an event happening this Wednesday. Manager Lauren Orozco said in an email: “bluemercury, Inc. of West Hartford is proud to announce our first annual Pink Carpet Event with The Linda Clemens Foundation. The luxurious and well deserved pampering of survivors as well as their friends and family will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. bluemercury is located at 987 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. Attendees can look forward to complimentary mini-facials, mini-makeovers, dry hair styling, pink drinks, music, professional glamour shots … glam galore!!! bluemercury is excited about the beautiful baskets of beauty products we have to raffle off, with 100 percent of proceeds going to The Linda Clemens Foundation. Help us celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month in true beauty junkie fashion, as we look forward to pampering all that attend. RSVP to 860-231-9099.” Orozco said that this breast cancer fundraiser is actually the kick-off to bluemercury’s beauty trend event weekend which will be Thursday through Sunday (11 a.m.-6 p.m.) with experts from each color line providing tips and techniques, and gifts with every mini lesson. 
• Congratulations to West Hartford resident and Connecticut Consumer Counsel Elin Katz on being named a broadband champion. According to a news release from the Consumer Counsel’s office,     “Katz, who has led an effort to educate municipalities and consumers on the potential benefits of ultra-high-speed gigabit internet access, [on Oct. 18, 2016] received the 2016 ‘Local Internet Choice State Champion Award,’ a national honor awarded by the Coalition for Local Internet Choice (CLIC). CLIC stated the award recognizes Katz’s ‘singular and exemplary leadership at the state level on behalf of the state of Connecticut’s consumers, businesses, and localities, to accelerate the emergence of advanced communications networks for community and economic development throughout Connecticut.'”
  

  The facades of 13-17 South Main St. are being updated to match the Landmark Building at 11 South Main. Courtesy photo

• It’s always nice to see upgrades to local buildings, and Maurice Kaoud provided some photos of renovations that have been done to the back as well as the front of the 13-17 South Main St. building. The only things left to be done are hanging new signs for Citizen’s Bank and Sight, and painting the rest of the building beige to tie it together with the Landmark Building at 11 South Main St.
• An interesting event is coming up at Besito in celebration of El Dia de los Muertos aka “Day of the Dead.” On Nov. 1 and 2, team members will have their “faces painted in the traditional Sugar Skull or Calaca style, traditional ‘ofrendas’ will be displayed while guests will be surprised with sweet comforts and warm tequilas,” according to an event listing. Click on the We-Ha.com event calendar listing for more details about this event, and to check out other happenings in the area. Feel free (and it’s free!) to post your own event, too!
  

  Renovations to the rear of 13-17 South Main are mostly complete. Courtesy photo

• ICYMI, Savoy Pizzeria and Craft Bar is now open! The restaurant had a soft opening on Thursday, but lots of people seemed to find out about it because the place was hopping when I ate there on Friday night. Savoy is closed on Monday, but will reopen for dinner on Tuesday and be open for dinner the rest of the week. Click here for the complete story.
• Also ICMYI, I took a tour of Crown Market and Café and the updates are extensive! Virtually all of the store’s infrastructure is new, but much of the food is the same as what customers have come to love. The store has been upgraded to a new level of kosher supervision, now certified as kosher by HKC, the Hartford Kashruth Commission. Click here to read the full story and see photos.
• If you haven’t ordered yet, We-Ha custom Vineyard Vines clothing and accessories are now available to order at Silver Dahlia, 970 Farmington Ave., or directly from the online store.

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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